Port of Oaklands Terminal to Stay Open for Night Operations

Port of Oakland Port of Oaklands largest marine terminal Oakland International Container Terminal said it would offer full, not partial, night operations even after a port subsidy expires this month.  With this decision, harbor truckers can continue moving cargo outside busier daytime hours, and with full operations, they would be able to drive off loaded import containers at night. Import pick-ups, the most time-consuming and labor-intensive terminal activity, had been restricted to dayside operations, the operator said. Thousands of cargo transactions have migrated to nighttime thanks to Oakland International Container Terminal, Port of Oakland Maritime Director, John Driscoll, said. It’s imperative that we continue with extended hours to expand the workday and improve cargo flow. The terminal would open night gates, which were introduced two months ago, aided by a USD 1.5 million Port of Oakland subsidy program, to harbor drivers Monday through Thursday. Oakland International Container Terminal said it would assess a USD 30 flat-fee on all loaded import and export containers once the subsidy ends. The fee will finance the costs of night operations – principally for additional labor, the terminal said, adding that it will review the night-gate program, including fees, after 90 days. The port said that expanded night operations may lead motor carriers to eliminate surcharges assessed for waiting at terminals as those fees are levied on cargo owners but could become outmoded if night gates continue to speed up operations.