Oakland marks start of works to electrify Matson Terminal

The Port of Oakland held a ceremony to mark the start of construction on infrastructure upgrades across the seaport, including electrical and charging facilities to support Matson Terminal’s transition to a 100% zero-emission cargo-handling equipment fleet. Once completed, Matson Terminal, operated by SSA Terminals, a joint venture between SSA Marine and Matson, will be the first marine terminal at the port to operate an entirely zero-emission cargo-handling fleet, the port said.

The port said the upgrades are intended to improve freight efficiency and reduce emissions while supporting California’s wider clean transportation goals. The project is supported by US$119m in funding from the California State Transportation Agency through its US$1.2 billion Port and Freight Infrastructure Program.

The award includes US$102.3m for terminal modernisation, covering upgrades to container yards, wharves and electrical infrastructure, as well as the replacement of diesel-powered cargo-handling equipment at Matson Terminal. The infrastructure modernisation covers strengthening crane rail girders at Berths 24–26, converting crane power systems from busbars to cables, upgrading electrical infrastructure and levelling and integrating the backlands at Berths 33–34.

Matson’s operation in Oakland is a traditional US ‘wheeled’ operation, where import containers are discharged straight to Matson’s own chassis and parked in the yard. The terminal stacks empty containers, but there are no RTGs to electrify.

This story was originally published by World Cargo News. Read the full story at World Cargo News →