Port of Oakland Amends TraPac Lease to Include Green Cargo Handling Equipment

The Oakland Board of Port Commissioners has altered terminal operator TraPac’s lease to include sustainable improvements to cargo handling equipment at its facilities, a major step in greening operations, the port announced May 18.

The amendment marks the first time the port is adding language to a terminal operator’s lease that cargo handling equipment be updated to lower pollution.

“This landmark lease agreement will bring the port closer to its goal of achieving zero emissions operations,” port Executive Director Danny Wan said in a statement.

The port is incentivizing TraPac’s efforts, offering to reimburse the terminal up to 35% (or $945,000 – whichever is less) for the retrofit of three rubber-tired gantry cranes. Converting the RTGs from diesel to hybrid-diesel fuel lowers emissions by 95%, according to the port. If TraPac secures the grant, the retrofit could occur by the end of 2024. 

Additionally, the terminal operator plans to pay for four new hybrid RTGs by the end of 2024, for a 95% emissions reduction.

“We appreciate the fact that our tenant, TraPac, is collaborating with us on the large investments needed to implement these major changes in cargo handling equipment,” port Maritime Director Bryan Brandes said. “Oakland is an efficient and convenient seaport for importers and exporters and TraPac is stepping up by going green.”