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THE Port of Oakland, on San Francisco Bay, has announced the "substantial" completion of the Oakland harbour project to dredge the harbour to 15 metres.

Completion of this 12-year project is regarded as significant by port authorities as it is expected to allow larger containerships access to the port 24/7.

"Recent trends in the shipping industry have shown a continuous shift towards larger and wider containerships, making it essential for the Port of Oakland to be able to accommodate these new classes of ships or risk losing viability," a statement from port authorities said.

The Oakland Harbour Navigation Improvement Project was authorised under the 1999 Federal Water Resources Development Act. The first dredging work started in September 2001.

Said port director Omar Benjamin: "Fifty feet [15.24 metres] delivered is a critical link between today and tomorrow. When you combine the deeper harbour with improving rail service through the Port of Oakland and future development of our portion of the former Oakland Army Base, it allows for attracting new investments, strategic partnerships and strengthening our position as a global gateway."

The entire 12-year project involved a US$432 million investment, with $244 million federally funded by the Army Corps of Engineers and $188 million locally funded by the Port of Oakland. The total funding for the project goes to the USACE, the federal agency responsible for the construction of the Port of Oakland's Harbour Deepening Project.

The harbour deepening project is said to also support deep draft navigation improvements at the Port of Oakland. Project components included widening and deepening of the harbour entrance, outer and inner harbour channels, and two turning basins to minus 50 feet Mean Lower Low Water (MLLW), as well as local business and utility relocations. The Port of Oakland is also investing in deepening its berths and strengthening its wharves as a complimentary project.

Deepening of the Oakland Harbour involved dredging 12.8 million cubic yards (11.7 square metres) of material. Nearly 100 per cent of the dredged material has been used for wetlands restoration, habitat enhancement and upland construction projects in and around San Francisco Bay.

(Source: www.schednet.com)