SSA extends its marine terminal lease at The Port of Oakland, voicing confidence in gateway’s vision

In a move signaling the long-term confidence of the Port of Oakland’s strategic plan, SSA Terminals has signed an agreement to maintain its operaions there well past the current lease expiring in 2027.

Indeed, according to the port, the deal includes options which could keep the global terminal operator there until 2042.

“SSA is an influential player on the waterfront worldwide, and a significant presence in Oakland,” said Port Maritime Director John Driscoll.  

Key elements of the deal include:

• a 19-acre expansion at SSA’s Oakland International Container Terminal (OICT);
• purchase of three new ship-to-shore cranes by the terminal operator for cargo handling; and
• options that would extend the new lease an additional 15 years if certain conditions were met.

SSA is the largest marine terminal operator in Oakland. OICT, the nation’s second-busiest marine terminal, handles about 60 percent of the port’s total containerized cargo volume.  SSA also operates Oakland’s Matson Terminal, which is included in the new lease. 

“We see steady cargo growth for Oakland into the next decade,” said Ed DeNike, President of SSA Containers.  “This new lease helps us plan for the future.”

Three operating companies, including SSA, lease terminal facilities from the Port of Oakland.  Terminals are the focal point of seaport operations.  They’re where ships, trucks and trains converge to move containerized cargo.  SSA has operations at 250 locations on five continents.

SSA earned recognition over the last three years for leading an operational transformation in Oakland.  It was the first operator to open gates at night for cargo pick-up or delivery.  It’s currently raising the height of four cranes to better handle a new class of megaships in Oakland.

The port has yet to attract a major ocean carrier on an “first call” basis, but it is ensuring that when that happens it will be mega-ship ready.

“There’s ample room to grow at the Port of Oakland,” said the port’s communication’s director, Mike Zampa. “The important thing is that SSA, and our other terminal operators, are continually improving operations.  That means they can absorb additional volume without disrupting supply chains.”

The new lease binds SSA to a list of environmental commitments in Oakland.  Among them: compliance with state and federal laws and the port’s Maritime Air Quality Improvement Program.  Under the agreement, the terminal operator will apply for government grants to reduce emissions from cargo handling equipment.