Oakland Port green lights widening project

This project, greenlit by the Oakland Board of Port Commissioners on July 14, will widen both the Inner and Outer Harbor turning basins, essential to accommodate the increasing number of longer vessels making ship calls at the port.

“We’re moving forward on a long-standing project that will preserve the port’s economic competitiveness and allow the port to continue delivering benefits to the local region and nation,” said Kristi McKenney, executive director of the Port of Oakland.

Modernisation plan

The basin widening is part of a broader initiative to strengthen the port’s operational capabilities and safeguard future operations.

Larger vessels currently face transit restrictions that cause delays and inefficiencies at the port, such as reduced access to shore power and extended docking times.

Once completed, the upgraded turning basins will support more efficient ship calls, ensuring the Port of Oakland remains a competitive and sustainable hub for global trade.

With the FEIR now certified, the design phase is expected to start later in 2025. Marine construction is scheduled to begin by mid-2027.

Oakland is in the grip of future proofing its operations with a programme of other upgrades at the same time.

In April, it begun a major upgrade of Berths 55–59, aimed at enhancing infrastructure to accommodate ultra-large container vessels and support the transition towards zero-emissions operations.