Oakland International Container Terminal to expand operations for truckers Oakland, Calif. - Port of Oakland night gates appear here to stay. Oakland’s largest marine terminal said today it will continue night operations even after a Port subsidy expires this month. What’s more, Oakland International Container Terminal said it will offer full – not partial - operations at night. The decision means thousands of harbor truckers can continue moving Oakland cargo outside busier daytime hours. With full operations, they’ll be able to drive off loaded import containers at night for the first time. Import pick-ups, the most time-consuming and labor-intensive terminal activity, had been restricted to dayside operations. “Thousands of cargo transactions have migrated to nighttime thanks to Oakland International Container Terminal,” said Port of Oakland Maritime Director John Driscoll. “It’s imperative that we continue with extended hours to expand the workday and improve cargo flow.” The terminal said it will open night gates to harbor drivers Monday-through Thursday. It introduced night gates two months ago, aided by a $1.5 million Port of Oakland subsidy program. The terminal said it will assess a $30 flat-fee on all loaded import and export containers once the subsidy ends. The fee will finance the costs of night operations – principally for additional labor, the terminal said. The amount will remain constant regardless of the size of the container. It will be levied on both day and night container moves. The terminal said that it will review the night-gate program – including fees – after 90 days. “No one likes fees,” said Mr. Driscoll. “But we think there’s tremendous value in easing daytime crowding and in offering full service at night when drivers can get in and out of Port quickly.” The Port said night gates are the most effective antidote to daytime terminal crowding caused by growing cargo volume. It added that expanded night operations may lead motor carriers to eliminate surcharges assessed for waiting at terminals. Those fees are levied on cargo owners but could become outmoded if night gates continue to speed up operations.