Port of Oakland, Usa Comprehensive Guide 2025

Table of Contents

The Port of Oakland is an important international trade hub on the West Coast of the United States, vital for containerized shipping. It connects to major global shipping markets and relies on a strong transportation and logistics network that drives the economy of California and the United States. The port’s diverse services, sustainability initiatives, and ongoing modernization and upgrades have made it a key player in the global shipping industry.

port of oakland

Introduction to the Port of Oakland

Established in 1927, the Port of Oakland is located on the eastern shore of San Francisco Bay and is governed by the Oakland Board of Harbor Commissioners. Since its inception, the Port of Oakland has been the primary Sea Freight gateway for international containerized cargo in Northern California, USA, handling more than 90% of the containerized cargo in the region.

Location and Transportation Hub

Location: The Port of Oakland is in Oakland, California, near the east side of San Francisco Bay. It is directly connected to the Pacific Ocean, facilitating trade with Asia, Europe, and other American countries.

Transportation Connections: The Port of Oakland has a well-developed transportation network, which mainly includes

Sea Freight: Connected to the rest of the world via the Atlantic and Pacific Ocean routes.

Rail: Well connected to cities in the Midwest and East of the US via the two major railroads in the US (Union Pacific Railroad and Baltimore-Los Angeles Railroad).

Highway: The Port of Oakland is connected to the rest of California via several freeways (e.g., Highways 580 and 880), facilitating overland transportation of goods.

Port Facilities and Functions

The Port of Oakland has multiple terminals and cargo handling facilities with strong cargo handling capabilities, especially in containerized transportation.

Container Handling Capacity: The Port of Oakland is one of the most critical container ports on the West Coast of the US, handling a large volume of containerized cargo each year. It handles bulk import and export cargo from Asia, Europe, Latin America, and elsewhere through multiple container terminals.

Breakbulk and Project Cargo: Besides containerized cargo, the Port of Oakland handles breakbulk, bulk, and project cargo, serving industries such as automotive, heavy machinery, and agricultural products.

Reefer and Food Transportation: The Port of Oakland also has a refrigerated cargo handling facility specializing in perishable foods and other temperature-controlled cargoes, mainly fruits, vegetables, and seafood imported from Asia.

Economic Impact and Global Trade

The Port of Oakland is one of the largest international trade ports in the United States and plays a vital role in trade with Asia. It is one of the key entry points for goods imported from China, Japan, South Korea, and other Asian countries. The port handles millions of TEU containers annually and is also an important logistics hub for the United States West Coast.

Import and Export Commodities: The Port of Oakland’s major import and export commodities include automobiles, electronics, machinery and equipment, furniture, and food. China is one of the Port of Oakland’s largest trading partners, and the Port of Oakland also maintains close trade relations with other Asian countries, Europe, and Latin American countries.

Employment and Economy: The Port of Oakland has made great contributions to the local economy, directly and indirectly creating tens of thousands of jobs. The logistics, warehousing, and transportation industries in and around the port drive the economy of Oakland and the entire Bay Area.

aerial view of the port of oakland

What are the marinas at the Port of Oakland?

TraPac Terminal

Operator: TraPac, LLC, part of the global shipping and logistics company Mitsui O.S.K. Lines (MOL).

Location: Situated on the northern side of the Port of Oakland.

Facilities and Capabilities:

  • It specializes in containerized cargo and handles large volumes of imports and exports.
  • It features modern, efficient infrastructure, including state-of-the-art cranes and terminal equipment, focused on automating and optimizing container handling.
  • TraPac has made substantial investments in environmentally sustainable operations, focusing on reducing emissions and improving energy efficiency.

Key Focus: TraPac services include Asia-Pacific trade routes, particularly with countries like China, Japan, and South Korea, making it a key hub for Pacific Rim trade.

Oakland International Container Terminal(SSA)

Operator: SSA Marine, a leading terminal operator in North America, runs several terminals across the United States.

Location: This terminal is located on the eastern waterfront of the Port of Oakland.

Facilities and Capabilities:

  • It is one of the largest container terminals at the Port of Oakland and provides extensive facilities for handling import and export containers.
  • SSA’s Oakland terminal is equipped with a modernized container handling system, including automated cranes and optimized storage, to improve throughput and reduce turnaround times.
  • SSA handles various cargo types, including automobiles, breakbulk, project cargo, and standard containerized goods.

Key Focus: SSA Marine’s Oakland terminal is particularly active in trade with Asia and Europe, making it an essential part of the global supply chain, especially for electronics, apparel, and automobiles.

Matson Terminal

Operator: Matson Navigation Company, a leading US-based ocean carrier specializing in trade between the United States and the Pacific islands and other global destinations.

Location: Matson’s terminal is located at the Port of Oakland on the southern side of the harbor.

Facilities and Capabilities:

  • This terminal primarily serves Matson’s containerized cargo but is best known for shipping goods to and from Hawaii, Guam, and other U.S. territories in the Pacific.
  • Matson’s facilities are equipped to handle various cargo types, including refrigerated containers for perishables, dry containers, and automobiles.
  • The terminal also supports intermodal rail connections, critical for connecting cargo to inland U.S. destinations.

Key Focus: Matson focuses on transpacific trade routes, focusing on Hawaii and Pacific islands and California-to-Alaska routes.

Ben E. Nutter Terminal(STS/Evergreen)

Operator: Evergreen Marine Corporation, a major global container shipping company, operates this terminal in partnership with STS (Ship-to-Shore).

Location: The terminal is located on the southern side of the Port of Oakland and is one of the port’s key container handling facilities.

Facilities and Capabilities:

  • The terminal handles large volumes of containerized cargo, especially for trade routes connecting the Far East (Asia) with the U.S. West Coast.
  • The Ben E. Nutter terminal is equipped with modern ship-to-shore cranes, and it is known for handling high throughput of cargo with a focus on efficiency.
  • It offers extensive intermodal services, including connections to rail lines and truck routes, making it an integral part of the supply chain for goods moving inland across the U.S.

Key Focus: Evergreen and its partners are primarily focused on Asian trade (especially with China and Taiwan) and handle a variety of commodities ranging from electronics to clothing to machinery.

Port of Auckland Terminal Map

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Which terminals do different shipping companies call at the Port of Oakland?

Terminal Nameshipping companyMain routesspecificities
TraPac TerminalMitsui O.S.K. Lines (MOL)Asia to the West Coast of the US (mainly Japan, China, etc.)Automated equipment, environmentally friendly facilities, efficient container handling
SSA Marine (Oakland International Container Terminal)Matson, ONE, Hapag-Lloyd, CMA CGM, MSCAsia, Europe, North America, etc.One of the largest container terminals at the Port of Auckland, handling large volumes of import and export cargo
Matson TerminalMatson Navigation CompanyUSA West Coast to Pacific Islands (e.g., Hawaii, Guam, Alaska, etc.)Specializing in inland Pacific routes, providing cold chain transportation services
Ben E. Nutter Terminal (Evergreen Terminal)Evergreen Marine CorporationAsia (especially China and Taiwan) to the West Coast of the USMainly handling containerized cargo from Asia, focusing on consumer goods and electronics.
Oakland Marine Terminal (OMT)A.P. Moller-MaerskTrans-Pacific RouteMainly for containerized transport with advanced cargo-handling facilities

What is the free stay time for different shipping companies at the Port of Oakland?

The shipping company, type of cargo, agreement terms, and specific terminal regulations typically determine the free time for different shipping lines at the Port of Oakland. Free time refers to the period during which cargo can stay at the port without incurring storage charges. Demurrage fees will usually apply if the cargo stays beyond the free time.

Shipping LineFree TimeNotes
Maersk Line3 days (containers)Typically applies to standard containers; special cargo (e.g., refrigerated) may have different terms.
MSC (Mediterranean Shipping Company)3 to 5 days (containers)Specific free time depends on cargo type and customer agreement.
CMA CGM4 days (containers)Usually, 4 days for standard containers; charges apply after this period.
Hapag-Lloyd3 to 4 days (containers)Free time depends on container type and specific agreements with agents or customers.
ONE (Ocean Network Express)4 days (containers)Free time may vary depending on specific routes and cargo types.
Yang Ming4 days (containers)Typically, standard containers have 4 days of free time, subject to agreement.
COSCO4 days (containers)Standard containers generally get 4 days of free time, with special arrangements for other types.
ZIM Integrated Shipping Services4 days (containers)Usually, 4 days of free time for general cargo. Specific terms may apply to other types.

Notes:

  1. Demurrage fees will apply after the free period. These fees are usually charged daily and depend on the shipping company, route, cargo type, port conditions, etc. Demurrage fees typically increase the longer the cargo stays beyond the free time.
  2. Holidays, port congestion, and operational conditions may also affect free time. Some shipping lines or ports may adjust free time during peak seasons (e.g., around holidays).
  3. Refrigerated cargo and special cargo (e.g., hazardous materials and overweight cargo) may require different free time arrangements or, in some cases, no free time at all, requiring special negotiations.
  4. The above information provides general guidelines, but the exact free time policy should be confirmed with the shipping company or port operator. Customers are advised to verify the terms when booking.

Oakland Port, demurrage calculation standards for different shipping companies

The demurrage charges at the Port of Oakland vary by shipping company, container type, cargo nature, and specific port operations. Demurrage charges refer to the fees incurred when containers remain at the port beyond the allotted free time. These charges are typically calculated per day and tend to increase the longer the container stays at the port.

Shipping CompanyDemurrage Charges CalculationNotes
Maersk LineTypically, charges are based on container type and demurrage days, starting from the first day beyond free time, with daily charges accumulating.Usually, tiered pricing, with higher fees, the longer the container stays. The exact costs depend on the agreement.
MSC (Mediterranean Shipping Company)Charges are based on container size and demurrage days, with daily escalating fees.Different fees exist for container sizes (20GP, 40GP, 40HQ, etc.). Cold chain cargo may incur additional costs.
CMA CGMDemurrage fees are usually split into tiers: 1-3 days, 4-6 days, and 7 days, with different rates for each tier.Fees increase as demurrage days extend. Refrigerated containers may incur higher costs.
Hapag-LloydDemurrage fees are based on days of delay and container type, often with different tiered rates.Special containers or cargo (e.g., hazardous, refrigerated) may incur higher fees.
ONE (Ocean Network Express)Charges are typically tiered based on container type and days of demurrage.Standard and special cargo containers (e.g., refrigerated) have different fees.
Yang MingGenerally, there are daily charges, with fees increasing based on container type and days of delay.Each container’s demurrage fee varies depending on the situation (e.g., container size, cargo type).
COSCODemurrage charges are based on days of delay, with fees increasing daily. Usually, a tiered pricing model is applied.Higher fees are typically charged for refrigerated, hazardous, or special cargo.
ZIM Integrated Shipping ServicesDemurrage fees are based on container type and delay days, with escalating daily charges.Exact fees depend on the specific route and cargo type, with special cargo possibly incurring higher charges.

Common Demurrage Charge Calculation Methods:

  1. Daily Charges: Demurrage charges are typically applied from the first day after the free period ends and are calculated per day. For example:
    1. Day 1-3: $X per day for each container
    1. Day 4-6: $Y per day for each container (fees typically increase)
    1. Day 7 and beyond: $Z per day for each container (usually the highest charge)
  2. By Container Type: Different container types (e.g., 20ft, 40ft, refrigerated containers) may incur different demurrage fees. Refrigerated and special cargo usually attract higher demurrage fees.
  3. Tiered Pricing: Demurrage charges are often based on a tiered system. The longer the container stays, the higher the daily charges, with different rates for specific delay periods.
  4. Cold Chain Cargo Additional Fees: Refrigerated or temperature-sensitive cargo may incur additional demurrage charges due to the need for special handling and refrigerated storage, which generally results in higher fees than standard containers.
  5. Delay and Fees: Demurrage fees typically begin on the first day after the free period ends and accumulate daily. The charges will depend on container size and type, the nature of the cargo, and factors like the shipping company and port operations.

Key Points to Note:

  • Contract Differences: The demurrage charge standards may vary based on different shipping companies and customer contracts. The specific charges are usually confirmed during the booking and contract phase.
  • Cumulative Charges: Some shipping companies may apply tiered pricing, meaning the more extended a container is, the higher the fees.
  • Port or Route-Specific Rules: During busy seasons or for specific routes, demurrage fees may fluctuate, and customers should stay updated on any relevant notices.

Recommendation:

To avoid unnecessary demurrage charges, cargo owners should confirm the free time period for pickup and promptly arrange container retrieval and transport. If retrieval will take longer than the free time, it’s best to discuss the demurrage charges and options with the shipping company or freight forwarder in advance.

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