Port of Richmond (California)

Last updated

Port of Richmond
Port of Richmond-Harbor-CA-.jpg
Port of Richmond
Port of Richmond (California)
Click on the map for a fullscreen view
Location
Country United States
Location Richmond, California
Coordinates 37°54′54″N122°21′40″W / 37.915°N 122.361°W / 37.915; -122.361
UN/LOCODE USRCH [1]
Details
Opened1980
Land area200 acres (0.81 km2)
Statistics
Vessel arrivals(CY )
Annual cargo tonnage 21.9 million metric revenue tons (CY 2010) [2]
Value of cargo US$ (CY )
Website
www.ci.richmond.ca.us/324/Port-Facilities
www.ci.richmond.ca.us/102/Port-Operations

The Port of Richmond is a major shipping terminal in California's San Francisco Bay located in the East Bay city and Oakland suburb of Richmond.

Contents

Operations

The harbor is located in Richmond, California along the city's southern coast beside the Richmond Inner Harbor and boasts the third largest volume of tonnage in the state of California annually; a total of 19 million short tons. It ranks number one for ports of San Francisco Bay in vehicles and liquid bulk. [3] In addition to these the port can also handle dry-bulk, break-bulk, and containers. Seven of the terminals are city owned in addition to 5 dry-docks while there are 11 privately owned terminals from whence 90% of tonnage emerge. The port is served by a sophisticated rail network served by four major rail companies. [4] The port itself has been described as a "boondoggle" and as unprofitable, however in 2012 operations finally broke even; furthermore a net profit was projected over the following decade. [5]

History

The port was constructed in the 1980s about thirty years after the World War II-era Kaiser Shipyards were decommissioned.

In 1993 the port received 26 million tons of goods. The majority of the cargo was oil and other petroleum products. The port is located at the end of Canal Boulevard in South Richmond. Port Richmond also receives imported cars and delivers them to dealers throughout the San Francisco Bay Area.

The port is a major entry point for vehicles from Asia. [6] The port signed an $US85 million, 15-year deal in 2010 to import Honda vehicles to the city after spending $37 million on upgrades in infrastructure from warehousing to rail lines. [6] In 2011 the city signed a deal to bring in Subaru vehicles on a five-year, $1 million-a-year deal. [6] The port is currently[ when? ] flirting with Toyota and Chinese auto manufacturers to expand its unmet capacity. [6]

In 2012 controversy arose over a $4 million federal grant to build a new safety and operations center. [5] The port authority itself supported redeveloping a decrepit former headquarters while influential councilmember Tom Butt preferred to refurbish the Riggers Loft building, a historic landmark. [5] The port's suggestion allows for a building closer to the day-to-day operations of the port, however the loft option allows for cultural restoration of a World War II relic in addition to providing an opportunity for using excess space to lease as office space for a profit. [5] Councilmember Corky Boozé opposed the loft option stating that Butt was attempting to micromanage the port's affairs and that $500,000 had already been spent on studying the preferred alternative. [5] Butt countered that the port's preference is a terrible idea and that he would support anything else, even if the Riggers Loft is deemed unfit. [5] The Rigger's Loft building was eventually chosen [7]

Aerial view of the Richmond Inner Harbour Richmond-California-aerial.jpg
Aerial view of the Richmond Inner Harbour

Tug Tiger

On December 11, 2011, the tug Tiger sank in the Port of Richmond Harbor. The Tiger was a decommissioned former US Navy tug that served during World War II. In 1944, modifications were made to the Tiger in order to hold more oil. Although it is not known how much the tug Tiger could hold, it is estimated that its maximum capacity was about 78,000 gallons of oil. The Tiger was originally brought to the Port of Richmond in order to be cleaned before heading to be scrapped. [8]

Oil spill

As a result of the tug Tiger sinking, an unknown amount of oil was leaked into the port. The United States Coast Guard was called in, in order to clean up the oil. After the spill approximately 1,450 gallons of an oil-water mixture was collected from the Tiger. There are still continued efforts in order to clean up oil from the Tiger.

In addition to this, another tug, the Lion, parked near the Tiger has an estimated 15,000 gallons of oil-water that have been collected from the vessel. Though it is unknown if there remain issues with Lion, a protective barrier remains around it.

A group of "55 personal from the Coast Guard, the Department of Fish and Games, the National Response Corporation Environmental Services and Global Salvage and Diving were brought in to work on the site." [8]

Clean Air Action Plan

"The goal of the Port of Richmond Clean Air Action Plan (CAAP) is to develop and recommend feasible, cost-effective strategies and programs to reduce air emissions and health risks from operations at the Port of Richmond, while allowing port development to continue bringing revenue and jobs to the City of Richmond" [9] In June 2010 the final draft of the Clean Air Action Plan for the Port of Richmond was published. The aim of this program was to create systems in order to reduce the amount of pollution created by the Port of Richmond, all the while producing minimal negative impacts on the ongoing work in and around the port.

Compared to other ports

Compared to other ports; Port of Oakland, Port of Long Beach, and Port of Los Angeles; the Port of Richmond releases a fraction of the pollutants of these other ports. The pollutants being measured are ROG, CO, NOx, PM, SO2, and CO2.

Honda Port of Entry

Approved by the Richmond City Council in October 2008, the Honda Port of Entry Project reintroduced Honda back into the Port of Richmond. [10] As a result of this project coming into fruition it seeks to expand and improve the existing automobile import and processing facilities in the Point Potrero Marine Terminal. New rail services and car-carrying ships are being introduced to increase the import and processing of automobiles. This will reduce the number of unnecessary operations in the transportation of cars such as reduced auto trips, improved locomotives, and reduced wasted time for imports.

Port of Richmond map Port of Richmond-California.jpg
Port of Richmond map

Port facilities

Port of Richmond handles bulk liquid, dry bulk, metals, vehicles, and break-bulk cargo. The port has five city-owned terminals and ten privately owned terminals. [11]

Shipyard #3

Used during World War II, Shipyard #3 was constructed by Henry J. Kaiser's Firm. This shipyard was constructed as a "permanent shipyard, which is one reason it is still relatively intact." [12]

Today there is a trail that circles the shipyard known "Shipyard #3 Trail", which also share paths with the "Ferry Point Loop". The trail is dotted with seven historical markers that illustrate the shipyard's rich history and role in the development of the Port of Richmond.

According to the Trails of Richmond Action Committee "Shipyard 3 is the only place where WW II ship building facilities remain in the U.S." [13]

The trail is also in view of the S.S. Red Oak Victory and a Whirley Crane. The Whirley Crane was used by the Kaiser Corporations. [14]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Richmond, California</span> City in California, United States

Richmond is a city in western Contra Costa County, California, United States. The city was incorporated on August 7, 1905, and has a city council. Located in the San Francisco Bay Area's East Bay region, Richmond borders San Pablo, Albany, El Cerrito and Pinole in addition to the unincorporated communities of North Richmond, Hasford Heights, Kensington, El Sobrante, Bayview-Montalvin Manor, Tara Hills, and East Richmond Heights, and for a short distance San Francisco on Red Rock Island in the San Francisco Bay.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Port Newark–Elizabeth Marine Terminal</span> Major component of the Port of New York and New Jersey

Port Newark–Elizabeth Marine Terminal, a major component of the Port of New York and New Jersey, is the principal container ship facility for goods entering and leaving the New York metropolitan area and the northeastern quadrant of North America. Located on Newark Bay, the facility is run by the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey. Its two components, Port Newark and the Elizabeth Marine Terminal sit side by side within the cities of Newark and Elizabeth, New Jersey, just east of the New Jersey Turnpike and Newark Liberty International Airport.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rosie the Riveter World War II Home Front National Historical Park</span> National historical park in Richmond, California, US

Rosie the Riveter World War II Home Front National Historical Park is a United States national historical park located in Richmond, California, near San Francisco. The park preserves and interprets the legacy of the United States home front during World War II, including the Kaiser Richmond Shipyards, the Victory ship SS Red Oak Victory, a tank factory, housing developments and other facilities built to support America's entry into World War II. In particular, the role of women and African-Americans in war industries is explored and honored.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Port of Long Beach</span> Container port near Los Angeles, California

The Port of Long Beach, administered as the Harbor Department of the City of Long Beach, is a container port in the United States, which adjoins Port of Los Angeles. Acting as a major gateway for US–Asian trade, the port occupies 3,200 acres (13 km2) of land with 25 miles (40 km) of waterfront in the city of Long Beach, California. The Port of Long Beach is located less than two miles (3 km) southwest of Downtown Long Beach and approximately 25 miles (40 km) south of Downtown Los Angeles. The seaport generates approximately US$100 billion per year in trade and employs more than 316,000 people in Southern California. In 2022, the port, together with the adjoining Port of Los Angeles, were considered amongst the world's least efficient ports by the World Bank and IHS Markit citing union protectionism and a lack of automation.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Port of Halifax</span> Canadian seaport

The Port of Halifax comprises various port facilities in Halifax Harbour in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada. It covers 10 km2 (3.9 sq mi) of land, and looks after 150 km2 (58 sq mi) of water.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Port of Mobile</span> Sea port in Alabama

The Port of Mobile is a deep-water port in Mobile, Alabama, United States. It is the only deep-water port in Alabama. It was ranked by the United States Army Corps of Engineers as the 9th largest port by tonnage in the nation during 2014, with a trade volume of 64.3 million tons. This ranking had increased from 12th largest during 2010, with a trade volume of 55,713,273 tons, an increase of 19.1%.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Teesport</span> Port in United Kingdom

Teesport is a large sea port located in the unitary authority of Redcar and Cleveland, in the ceremonial county of North Yorkshire, Northern England.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Marina Bay, Richmond, California</span> Neighborhood of Richmond in Contra Costa, California, United States

Marina Bay, is located in Richmond's protected Richmond Inner Harbor. It was developed in the mid-1980s in an effort to clean up what had been up to that point the defunct World War II-era Kaiser Shipyards.

Essar Shipping Ltd., now Essar Shipping Ports & Logistics Limited, is an Indian shipping corporation for the global energy business. Founded in 1945, the company was incorporated in 2010. The company was listed in Bombay Stock Exchange. The company headquarters is located in Mumbai. The company is a part of Essar Group.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ports of Auckland</span> Company administering Aucklands harbour facilities

Ports of Auckland Limited (POAL), the successor to the Auckland Harbour Board, is the Auckland Council-owned company administering Auckland's commercial freight and cruise ship harbour facilities. As the company operates all of the associated facilities in the Greater Auckland area, this article is about both the current company and the ports of Auckland themselves.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Port of San Diego</span> Public-benefit corporation

The Port of San Diego is a seaport in San Diego, California. It is located on San Diego Bay in southwestern San Diego County, California, and is a self-supporting district established in 1962 by an act of the California State Legislature. In addition to port activities, the Port District controls San Diego Bay and owns and manages the Bay's immediate waterfront under the state's Tidelands Trust.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Port of Málaga</span> Port in Spain

The Port of Málaga is an international seaport located in the city of Málaga in southern Spain, on the Costa del Sol coast of the Mediterranean. It is the oldest continuously-operated port in Spain and one of the oldest in the Mediterranean.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Port of Tacoma</span> Port in United States

The Port of Tacoma is an independent seaport located in Tacoma, Washington. The port was created by a vote of Pierce County citizens on November 5, 1918. The Edmore was the first ship to call at the port in 1921. The port's marine cargo operations, among the largest in the United States, was merged with the Port of Seattle's in 2015 to form the Northwest Seaport Alliance.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Port of Yingkou</span> Port in Peoples Republic of China

The Port of Yingkou is an international seaport in Yingkou, Liaoning, People's Republic of China. It is the second-largest port in northeast China and the tenth-largest nationwide. It includes two separate dockland areas, the Yingkou old port at the mouth of the Daliao River, and the Bayuquan port located directly on Liaodong Bay on the Bohai Sea.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Port of Southampton</span> Passenger and cargo port in Southampton, England

The Port of Southampton is a passenger and cargo port in the central part of the south coast of England. The modern era in the history of the Port of Southampton began when the first dock was inaugurated in 1843. After the Port of Felixstowe, Southampton is the second largest container terminal in UK, with a handled traffic of 1.5 million twenty-foot equivalent units (TEU). It also handles cruise ships, roll-on roll-off, dry bulk, and liquid bulk.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Port Botany (seaport)</span> Port in Australia

Port Botany is a deepwater seaport located in Botany Bay in Sydney, Australia. The port is dominated by trade in containerised manufactured products and, to a lesser extent, bulk liquid imports including petroleum and natural gas. It is one of Australia's largest container ports and is administered by NSW Ports which entered into a 99-year lease agreement with the Port Authority of New South Wales in May 2013.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Chevron Richmond Refinery</span>

The Chevron Richmond Refinery is a 2,900-acre (1,200 ha) petroleum refinery in Richmond, California, on San Francisco Bay. It is owned and operated by Chevron Corporation and employs more than 1,200 workers, making it the city's largest employer. The refinery processes approximately 240,000 barrels (38,000 m3) of crude oil a day in the manufacture of petroleum products and other chemicals. The refinery's primary products are motor gasoline, jet fuel, diesel fuel and lubricants.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mundra Port</span> Container port in India

Mundra Port is India's first private port, largest container port and largest commercial port, located on the northern shores of the Gulf of Kutch near Mundra, Kutch district, Gujarat. Formerly operated by Mundra Port and Special Economic Zone Limited (MPSEZ) owned by Adani Group, it was later expanded into Adani Ports & SEZ Limited (APSEZ) managing several ports. In FY 2020–21, Mundra Port handled 144.4 million tonnes of cargo. The port currently handles over 155 MT, which constitutes nearly 11 per cent of India’s maritime cargo. The port also handles nearly 33 per cent of India’s container traffic.

The Port of Paulsboro is located on the Delaware River and Mantua Creek in and around Paulsboro, in Gloucester County, New Jersey, approximately 78 miles (126 km) from the Atlantic Ocean. Traditionally one of the nation's busiest for marine transfer operations, notably for crude oil and petroleum products, such as jet fuel and asphalt, it is a port of entry with several facilities within a foreign trade zone.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Webb Dock</span>

Webb Dock is a port facility at Fishermans Bend in Melbourne, Victoria constructed progressively from 1960, by dredging and land fill at the mouth of the Yarra River. It includes roll-on/roll-off facilities handling motor vehicle import and export and break bulk commodities and a container terminal. The dock is named after John Percival Webb OBE, a former Melbourne Harbor Trust commissioner.

References

  1. "UNLOCODE (US) - UNITED STATES". service.unece.org. Retrieved March 24, 2021.
  2. "Freight Planning Fact Sheet Port of Richmond" (PDF). January 2014. Archived from the original (PDF) on February 11, 2017.
  3. "Richmond, CA - Official Website - Port Operations". City of Richmond. Retrieved June 26, 2007.
  4. "History of Richmond". City of Richmond. Retrieved June 25, 2007.
  5. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Rogers, Robert (April 24, 2012). "Dueling proposals compete for federal money to build security center at Richmond port". Richmond Confidential. Retrieved April 25, 2012.
  6. 1 2 3 4 Tam, Katharine (January 27, 2011). "Subaru coming to Port of Richmond". Contra Costa Times . Retrieved January 28, 2011.[ dead link ]
  7. Boyer, Mark Andrew (October 30, 2013). "Riggers loft renovation nears completion". Richmond Confidential. Retrieved March 14, 2017.
  8. 1 2 Pandell, Lexi (December 15, 2011). "Crews continue cleaning oil from sunken tugboat" . Retrieved April 8, 2015.
  9. "Clean Air Action Plan For the Port of Richmond". Archived from the original on July 21, 2015. Retrieved April 15, 2015.
  10. "Honda Port of Entry Project | Richmond, CA - Official Website".
  11. "Port Facilities" . Retrieved April 8, 2015.
  12. "Shipyard #3". Archived from the original on July 7, 2014. Retrieved April 8, 2015.
  13. "The Bay Trail in Richmond, California". Trails for Richmond Action Committee. Archived from the original on July 10, 2006. Retrieved April 8, 2015.
  14. "Point Richmond".[ full citation needed ]