Oakland port secures $18 mln in dredge funds
The Port of Oakland secured $18 million in federal funding for operations and maintenance dredging for its 50-foot channel, Journal of Commerce reports.The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers confirmed the funding for the fiscal year 2011 work plan.
Oakland in 2009 completed a 10-year project to deepen its harbor to 50 feet from 42 feet. The deeper harbor is necessary to accommodate vessels of 8,000-TEU capacity and greater that now call regularly at California’s container ports.
Once deepened, channels begin to silt in as currents carry unsettled material on to the harbor floor. Annual maintenance dredging is necessary to maintain the designated harbor depth.
Omar Benjamin, executive director, said Oakland’s public-private investment in partnership with the federal government helps the port support more than 50,000 direct and indirect jobs in the region and more than 800,000 jobs across the country.
Furthermore, dredge material is used for habitat and wetland restoration in Northern California.
Oakland in 2009 completed a 10-year project to deepen its harbor to 50 feet from 42 feet. The deeper harbor is necessary to accommodate vessels of 8,000-TEU capacity and greater that now call regularly at California’s container ports.
Once deepened, channels begin to silt in as currents carry unsettled material on to the harbor floor. Annual maintenance dredging is necessary to maintain the designated harbor depth.
Omar Benjamin, executive director, said Oakland’s public-private investment in partnership with the federal government helps the port support more than 50,000 direct and indirect jobs in the region and more than 800,000 jobs across the country.
Furthermore, dredge material is used for habitat and wetland restoration in Northern California.