SSA Marine Terminals handle ocean cargo mega vessels with aplomb

The three ports that hosted the largest container ship ever to call on three North American ports this past week all had one thing in common – Seattle-based SSA Marine handled the cargo.

“Investment and preparation are the keys in welcoming a vessel the size of the Benjamin Franklin,” said Ed DeNike, President of SSA Terminals. “It is a significant undertaking and one few ports are equipped to handle.”

The CMA CGM Benjamin Franklin is a Post Panamax-class megaship built in 2015 with the capacity to carry 18,000 containers, nearly twice that of more container vessels.

Last month the Franklin called at three of SSA Marine’s West Coast terminals - Pacific Container Terminal at the Port of Long Beach, Oakland International Container Terminal at the Port of Oakland, and Terminal 18 at the Port of Seattle.

Terminal 18 is the largest container facility in the Pacific Northwest at 196-acres. Since 2000, SSA Terminals has invested nearly $80M dollars in cranes at the terminal to secure cargo interests in the Port of Seattle.

Terminal 18 is the best-equipped terminal in the PNW to handle
a vessel this size. Oakland International Container Terminal expanded to a 272-acre facility with 5 continuous berths and 10 Post-Panamax container cranes. Later this year, the Port of Oakland will raise four cranes an additional 26 feet.

Pacific Container Terminal is 257-acres, 17 gantry cranes and 39 gate lanes, with room for further expansion. With SSA Marine’s $160M dollar investment in cranes, PCT is prepared for high capacity