Oakland International Airport News

Weary passengers aboard a cruise ship idled at sea for days by a coronavirus outbreak erupted in cheers on Monday as the vessel sailed into San Francisco Bay en route to the Port of Oakland and the next, unexpected phase of their voyage - two weeks of quarantine.The 2,400 passengers, who have been largely confined to their staterooms since Thursday, were to begin disembarking on Monday for transport to quarantine stations or hospitals, depending on whether they are well or need immediate medical attention.Except for those with acute illness…

An ocean liner barred from returning to port in San Francisco due to a coronavirus outbreak on board will dock briefly at a nearby terminal in Oakland, where passengers will be unloaded and sent on to medical and quarantine sites elsewhere, officials said on Sunday.The cruise ship Grand Princess, whose guests have been largely confined to their staterooms since Thursday, is due to arrive at the Port of Oakland on Monday to begin immediately disgorging its 2,400 passengers, California Governor Gavin Newsom told a news conference.Nearly all 1…

Port of Oakland has appointed veteran aviation executive Kristi McKenney as its Chief Operating Officer (COO).Executive Director Danny Wan announced the appointment today after the Port’s governing Board created the new position last month. Ms. McKenney had been serving as Assistant Director of Aviation at the Port’s Oakland International Airport.“I’m grateful to the Board for establishing the COO position and pleased that Kristi is joining our executive team,” said Wan. “We’re developing an ambitious growth strategy for the Port and she’ll be instrumental in advancing it.”Wan said McKenney would manage Port operations. She’ll also oversee Port compliance with Board policies and government regulations, he added.

Danny Wan, who has been the Port of Oakland’s interim executive director since July, is now  appointed to that role on a permanent basis.The Port’s governing Board selected Wan, who was was Port Attorney for six years earlier, at a special meeting on November 14. He replaces Chris Lytle who retired in July after six years at the helm in Oakland. The announcement caps a two-month, nationwide search."We're fortunate to have Danny as the Port's new chief executive - not only is he an experienced public professional, he is also a local leader with demonstrated commitment to the communities the Port serves," said Board President Ces Butner.Wan is a familiar figure in the Oakland community.

The Port of Oakland, a container ship facility located in Oakland, California, in the San Francisco Bay, said that July was the busiest in the Port’s 92-year history for containerized import cargo. According to the Port, it handled the equivalent of 90,598 20-foot import containers in July. It was the first time ever that Oakland import volume had crossed the 90,000-container threshold in a single month.The total surpassed the Port’s old monthly record of 87,207 containers set in June 2018, it said.July import volume was up 7.5 percent from the same period a year ago. The Port attributed the gain to strong U.S. consumer demand.“This is the fourth-time import volume has increased in the past five months,” pointed out Port of Oakland Maritime Director John Driscoll.

The Alameda County Transportation Commission has received $12.45 million from the California Transportation Commission for the implementation of the Freight Intelligent Transportation System (FITS) program at the Port of Oakland.FITS includes 15 freight technology demonstration projects designed to address traffic management, security systems and roadway improvements at the Oakland seaport. The funding comes from California Senate Bill 1 funds.The Port said FITS will reduce congestion and improve traffic flow for truckers who haul cargo containers in and out of Oakland. It will also update security systems and provide a common communication platform for first responders…

The Port of Oakland reported a record-setting 2018 in cargo movement, on account of an expected spike in imports aimed at beating new tariffs on goods shipped from China.According to data released by the port, it handled the equivalent of 2.55 million 20-foot containers last year. That was up 5.2 percent from 2017 volume. It was the second straight year of record volume in Oakland, the Port said.According to Port figures, 2018 import cargo volume increased 5 percent while exports declined 3.5 percent. The volume of empty containers returned to origin destinations for future import loads increased 19.7 percent."Multiple influences were at work in 2018 shaping cargo flows, including a China-U.S.

The Port of Oakland had its busiest November ever for imports in 2018, shattering an 11-year-old record. The Port said today that it handled the equivalent of 83,364 loaded 20-foot import containers last month. That beat the old November record of 76,902 containers set in 2007. November imports were up 15 percent over the same period in 2017.The Port attributed the increase in cargo volume to continued strong U.S. consumer spending. It added that importers are rushing cargo into the U.S. in case new tariffs are imposed next year in the ongoing trade war with China.“We’re encouraged by our latest cargo statistics,” said Port of Oakland Maritime Director John Driscoll.

The Port of Oakland released a new 5-year strategic plan today that pairs business expansion with community benefits. Called “Growth with Care,” the plan envisions more jobs and economic stimulus as the Port grows. According to the strategic plan, Oakland cargo volume should reach 2.6 million 20-foot containers by 2022. The Port’s Oakland International Airport is expected to serve 14-to-15 million passengers annually by then. Both would be all-time highs for Oakland. Growing business volume should lead to more hiring, the Port said. The Port added that it would prioritize local residents in filling jobs. “We can grow, but we want our neighbors to grow with us,” said Port of Oakland Executive Director Chris Lytle in a preamble to the 21-page strategic document.

O’Melveny & Myers LLP represented the Port of Oakland, the third busiest Port on the U.S. West Coast, in an inaugural bidding process for a long-term concession to operate, maintain and further develop a land water-side site comprising approximately 175 acres of its maritime operations area. The transaction is valued at nearly $700m and marks the first public-private partnership, or P3 arrangement, of its kind in the U.S. ports sector. The successful bidder for the concession is Ports America Outer Harbor Terminal, LLC, a joint venture of Ports America Group and Terminal Investment Limited. As concessionaire, it will have exclusive rights to operate the site for a term of 50 years and maximize the economic use of the area, starting in January 2010 when it will take possession of the site.