Crane upgrade project completed at Port of Oakland

The busiest commercial terminal at the Port of Oakland now has four fully upgraded ship-to-shore cranes to serve the largest containerships, following the completion of a year-long, $14-million crane-raising project at the California port.

The four ship-to-shore cranes at Oakland International Container Terminal (OICT) had their lifting height increased from 115 feet to 142 feet above the dock. Raising the four gantry cranes increased their lifting height from 115 feet to 142 feet above the dock. The giant cranes can soar up to 393 feet, the height of a 39-story building, with the booms in the highest position.

Stevedoring Services of America (SSA) operates OICT and managed the crane-raising project in partnership with the Port of Oakland.

“Taller cranes are critical for loading and unloading massive containerships that arrive at our marine terminal,” says SSA President Ed DeNike. “These huge cranes will help us move cargo more efficiently through the Oakland Seaport and support our operations for years to come.”

Port of Oakland Marine Director John Driscoll says the taller cranes will give the port a “competitive edge on the U.S. West Coast.”

Last year, the port handled 2.42 million TEUs of containers.

The upgrade allows the higher gantry cranes to reach over an additional three levels of stacked containers on a big ship’s deck. This improves the process and speed of cargo operations, saving time and money for Port customers.