Connecting with our community

The Port of Oakland reaches out to its communities year-round through a series of programs. These put us in touch with thousands of local residents who want to know more about the Port. Here’s how we connected in 2018:

• LiveChat: The Port engaged with more than 2,800 visitors to its online LiveChat feature at www.portofoakland.com. The chat room allows visitors to query Port staff real time about issues ranging from job opportunities to small business certification procedures.
• Free harbor tours: The Port offers free harbor tours twice monthly on Friday nights from May through October. Excursion boats take visitors down Oakland Estuary to the Outer Harbor and the Bay Bridge. The 90-minute, narrated tours provide a glimpse into Port of Oakland operations. About 3,000 people took the tours in 2018.
• Community outreach: The Port worked with more than 40 community organizations in 2018 on classroom activities, tours of the Port or special events such as a day for youngsters at Children’s Fairyland. More than 5,000 students took part in Port-sponsored events.