Shore Power
In 2008, the State of California Air Resources Board (CARB) adopted new regulations, requiring reductions of air pollutants emitted from container, cruise, and refrigerated cargo ships docked (at berth) at six California ports. The key requirements of the regulation include emission reductions of 50% starting in 2014, 70% starting in 2017, and 80% starting in 2020. Grant funding awarded to the Port requires emission reductions that are higher than those specified by CARB regulations.
Shore power provides high voltage electrical infrastructure in the Port of Oakland Maritime area. This allows ships to plug in to the electric grid while docked. Connecting to the electric grid dramatically reduces emissions from docked vessels. The infrastructure generally runs from the Port's main substations to on-terminal substations and from there to the terminal wharves. Power is extended down to the wharves, where vaults with electrical connections provide the outlets that supply electricity to ships.
Click here for Oakland vessel connection data in January 2023 and 2022
Infrastructure
Shore power is available at the following marine terminals/berths:
Shore Power Rates
The Port of Oakland adopted utility rates for shore power usage. These rates and charges include a usage rate of $267 per hour (plus applicable taxes), a maintenance rate of $31 per hour (plus applicable taxes), and an initial vessel commissioning charge of $3,600. These rates are further outlined by Port Ordinance. Infrastructure at Berths 60-63 is not owned or managed by the Port. For utility rates at these berths, please contact the terminal operator.
Vessel Commissioning
View List of Approved Shore Power Vessels
Berths 24, 25-26, 30-32, 35-37, 55-59, 68
Ships that plan to call the Port of Oakland and intend to plug into shore power at these berths must be commissioned by the Port prior to plugging into the shore power system. Commissioning refers to the process of preparing a unique vessel to successfully plug into the shore power system at Oakland. Shipping lines should notify both their terminal operator partners and the Port when a vessel is scheduled to arrive in port and needs to be commissioned. Only vessels commissioned by the Port's Commissioning Agent will be allowed to plug in to the Port's shore power system. The Port charges $3,600 per commissioning event for each unique vessel. Commissioning must repeat until the Port places the vessel on the list of approved shore power vessels (see link above). Power usage is charged in addition to the commissioning cost (see Shore Power Rates above).
Berths 60-63
The shore power system at these berths is connected to a power grid that is not owned or managed by the Port. Therefore, the Port does not require vessel commissioning at these berths and does not plan to be involved with such commissioning. However, the Port strongly recommends that shipping lines and terminal operators for these berths coordinate closely to perform a vessel commissioning process.
Maintenance
The Port of Oakland adopted utility rates that allow the Port to recover its maintenance costs for shore power infrastructure. The maintenance rate is currently $31 per hour (plus applicable taxes). This charge applies to berths where the shore power system is owned by the Port. These rates are further outlined by Port Ordinance. Infrastructure at Berths 60-63 is not owned or managed by the Port. For utility rates at these berths, please contact the terminal operator.
Links
Learn more about the Shore Power Program on the California Air Resources Board (CARB) website
Please consult Port of Oakland Tariff 2-A (Item 02500 in Section II) for more information on shore power rates and regulations.
List of Approved Shore Power Vessels
Download Shore Power Map (PDF)
Contacts
Eric Napralla
Shore Power Program Manager
(510) 627-1403
enapralla@portoakland.com
Wayne Yeoman
Vessel Commissioning & Technical Assistance
(510) 627-1423
wyeoman@portoakland.com
Jared Carpenter
(510) 627-1167
jcarpenter@portoakland.com
Tracy Fidell
Port of Oakland Environmental Division
(510) 627-1134
tfidell@portoakland.com
