By Mark Edward Nero
Work could begin later in November to nearly double the size of the Port of Oakland’s second-largest marine terminal.
TraPac LLC said Oct. 31 that it’s ready to begin construction on a 57-acre expansion at the Port of Oakland’s Outer Harbor. The port's Board of Port Commissioners approved the project at an Oct. 27 meeting.
TraPac has signed a new 14-year lease with the port to grow from 66 to 123 acres. It will add two vessel berths to the two it already operates. The terminal operator said a larger footprint will help it absorb additional cargo volume.
“With this expansion, we’re making a long-term commitment to our customers and to the Port of Oakland,” TraPac Oakland General Manager Mike Porte said. “Now that the approval process has concluded, we’re eager to get on with the necessary improvements, and we’ll be doing so aggressively.”
TraPac is growing into property adjacent to its existing terminal. It said construction on a new entrance gate could start later this month. Refurbishment of the remaining acreage would follow soon thereafter, the company added.
TraPac, which is based in the Los Angeles area and handles about 20 percent of the containerized cargo volume shipped through the Port of Oakland, has said it expects to complete the improvements within 10 months.