By Mark Edward Nero
A Port of Oakland marine terminal has reopened following two months of modernization to improve cargo handling and this week is scheduled to receive its first container ship since early December.
The 74-acre Ben E. Nutter Terminal, located in Oakland’s Outer Harbor, is managed by Everport Terminal Services. Renovations of it began in November and were complete last month. Improvements include rebuilt entrance gates for harbor truckers; more than 100 new pieces of cargo-handling equipment; and a new terminal operating system.
The terminal reopened last week to begin receiving export cargo and empty containers, and was scheduled to resume vessel operations Jan. 8 with arrival of the 1,100-foot container vessel Ever Liberal.
“Across the port we’re taking steps to improve performance and efficiency,” Port of Oakland Maritime Director John Driscoll said. “We’re pleased that the management of Ben E. Nutter Terminal shares our desire to upgrade operations in Oakland.”
The Nutter terminal at Berths 35 through 38 serves all Evergreen Line ships calling Oakland. It’s named after former Port of Oakland Executive Director Ben E. Nutter, who’s regionally considered a pioneer in containerized trade.