Oakland, CA – August 2, 2010 – Port of Oakland has been adding state–of-the-art super-post-Panamax cranes over the past decade to handle the larger containerships that now transit the globe. When the Alameda Naval Air Station was in service, Oakland used low-profile cranes to accommodate flight-path safety issues. Since the base closure, those cranes are no longer needed here. Meanwhile the Massachusetts Port Authority (Massport) needs low-profile cranes due to the proximity of its container terminal to Boston Logan International Airport, also owned and operated by Massport. The Port of Oakland and Massport cooperated so that the cranes from Oakland could be re-used at the east coast facility. The first part of this engineering feat has been completed. The cranes have been loaded aboard a barge and pulled away from Berth 37 at the Port of Oakland this morning, a few minutes after 11:00 a.m. Monday, August 2, 2010.

Port of Oakland Maritime Director James Kwon said, “We are pleased that our low-profile container cranes are going to be put to good use at Massport. This demonstrates how the port industry is making conscious decisions for the environment whenever possible. With the re-use of these cranes, we are reducing waste and saving resources, and Massport gets cranes that are ready to put in service.” Each low-profile crane is made of 1,200 tons of steel.

The two Kocks cranes’ total weight equals approximately 2,400 tons or about 5 million pounds. They use electrical power to operate so there are no emissions in the port area when they are in use. The barge taking the cranes to the Port of Boston (Massport) are beginning a month-long, 6,300 mile waterborne journey that will take them from Oakland, through the Panama Canal, and up the East Coast to their new home at Conley Container Terminal.

The Kocks container cranes from the Port of Oakland have a boom outreach of 150 feet. Each crane can lift as much as 50 Long Tons (112,000 lbs.) in one lift. These cranes are 132 ft. high (about the height of a 12–story building) and are expected to arrive in Boston by mid-September. Rigging International of Alameda, CA (member of the Sarens Group, Belgium) was responsible for preparing the cranes for the voyage here in Oakland. They are also in charge of the 6,300-hundred mile journey. Once the cranes arrive at Massport, Rigging International will unload and set up the cranes to be operational at the Port of Boston.

The low-profile cranes in Oakland were replaced by Evergreen’s new super post-Panamax cranes that arrived in March of this year. The new Evergreen cranes had to be fully operational before the low-profile cranes could be removed (See March press release).

About the Port of Oakland
The Port of Oakland oversees the Oakland seaport, Oakland International Airport and 20 miles of waterfront. The Oakland seaport is the fifth busiest container port in the U.S.; Oakland International Airport is the second largest San Francisco Bay Area airport, offering over 140 daily flights; and the Port’s real estate includes commercial developments such as Jack London Square and hundreds of acres of public parks and conservation areas. The Port of Oakland was established in 1927 and is an independent department of the City of Oakland. Please visit: www.portofoakland.com.

Media Contacts:

Marilyn Sandifur, Port Spokesperson
Port of Oakland Spokesperson
(510) 627-1193
Click here to contact Marilyn Sandifur