Port of Oakland’s executive director Danny Wan has unveiled plans to invest in a renewed, smart and zero-emissions port.
“The theme for 2022 is to invest in and plan for a future that is not what used to be, but one that improves upon the past,” stated Wan at his annual State of the Port address earlier this week.
The investments aim to:
• Grow a seaport that supports the regional economy
• Provide more choices of entertainment and attractions at the Oakland waterfront and improved access to the port’s shoreline parks.
• Modernise and expand the Oakland International Airport
“We must do all of the above by bringing into reality green energy technology and dig deep into our creativity to realise a port that is respectful of the environmental and urban community ecosystem that we do business in,” pointed out Wan.
He also highlighted that the Oakland Seaport has set a record for containerised import volume in 2021, while it also reached an environmental milestone by reducing diesel emissions 86% from 2005 levels.
The seaport is currently working on a long-term, land-use plan to accommodate higher containerised cargo volumes.
Wan listed several financial sources that the port has already identified to support its growth:
• US$280 million from state sources for traffic and rail safety and local road infrastructure improvements around the Embarcadero, Jack London and Howard Terminal corridor.
• More than US$5 million for electrical infrastructure and renewable power at the seaport from the federal Port Infrastructure Development Program.
• A portion of a US$2.3 billion state of California fund intended to reduce supply chain bottlenecks and support electric vehicles and infrastructure.
• An additional US$15 million annually at the airport from the federal Bipartisan Infrastructure Bill.
“All of these funds are essential for our seaport infrastructure and airport improvement projects over the next 5-to-10 years, and we expect there will be more,” claimed Wan, and went on to add that the port’s 2022 outlook is promising.
“Our mission is to promote efficient commerce, create jobs, and play a major role in maintaining a vibrant regional economy while meeting obligations to clean the air and the environment,” concluded Wan.
