Port of Oakland makes bid to become logistics hub

Logistics leadership at the Port of Oakland continues to keep up a torrid pace to position the gateway as a cargo distribution hub.

Talks have begun to develop the next phase of a 170-acre Seaport Logistics Complex with Commissioners giving the go-ahead last evening.

According to port spokesmen, the commission authorized exclusive negotiations between the port and industrial real estate developer CenterPoint Properties.

If a deal is made, this would create the largest logistics complex at any West Coast U.S. port.

“It’s intended to make the port a magnet to attract additional containerized cargo volume,” said Maritime Director John Driscoll, the Port’s lead negotiator.

The timing could not be better, note some analysts, as containerized import volume at Oakland declined last month for the first time since February. October import totals were down 3.3 percent compared to 2014, and may augur weaker numbers in the coming months.

Oakland has long been a leading West Coast gateway for outbound goods, but has been working on becoming a more attractive inbound player in future years.

In subsequent phases of development, the port plans to construct a regional distribution center and warehouses at the complex.

The port and developer were given six months to reach agreement on building a portion of the complex. The new project would encompass 20 acres of port property. It would include transload and cross-dock facilities where importers could swiftly transfer containerized cargo from ships to trains.

CenterPoint, a major developer of transportation-related real estate projects, would build and lease the facilities to tenants involved in international logistics.
 
The 20-acre facility will be built on land acquired by the Port at a decommissioned army base. It will be adjacent to phase one of the Seaport Logistics Complex, a 13-track rail yard that’s nearing completion.