Oakland International Container Terminal (OICT), the Port of Oakland’s largest marine terminal, is opening on certain nights and on Saturdays in an effort to accelerate containerized trade flow.
The terminal said it was testing increased hours of operations for specific transactions and, so far, extended gate transactions have included empty container returns and pick-ups and loaded container export drop-offs. Specialized import pick-ups have also been part of the trial program.
“This is a service for all customers and drayage companies that can utilize the transactions,” said Jim Rice, the terminal’s General Manager.
This trial-basis program is a step toward the port’s wide plan to open permanent Saturday gates for all transactions in the first quarter of 2016. This plan is currently under review by the Federal Maritime Commission.
“We know this may not fit everyone’s business needs, but it has a positive impact on the overall flow of transactions during the day. We will continue to operate night and weekend gates if the demand is there.”
The terminal said it has seen increased participation since it introduced this practice on November 3.