By Karen Robes Meeks
Despite an uncertain freight future brought on by a US-China trade war, the Port of Oakland will press forward with its five-year Growth with Care strategy, Maritime Director John Driscoll confirmed at the recent annual State of the Port event. Under the strategy, the port will continue to grow its three business lines: aviation, commercial real estate and maritime.
The 2018 growth included the new 280,000-square foot Cool Port Oakland for shipping refrigerated cargo and initial work on a 460,000-square foot distribution center, a major component of a Seaport Logistics Complex as well as the newly expanded TraPac marine terminal.
More jobs are also in the works, thanks to an agreement that includes local hiring when the Seaport Logistics Complex opens in 2020.
Driscoll also pointed out that port-adjacent neighborhoods will also see some traffic and environmental improvements when plans are finalized.
“We’ve worked closely with the community to make sure we properly manage growth at the Port,” Driscoll said. “We’ve heard the concerns of our neighbors, and we’re working to address them.”
