The recent arrival of the 8,452-TEU (20-foot equivalent unit) containership Ever Liberal marked the reopening of the Ben E. Nutter Terminal at the Port of Oakland.

Located in Oakland’s Outer Harbor, the 59-acre terminal occupies Berths 36 and 37 at the port and had been closed for two months to undergo improvements to upgrade its cargo handling capabilities.

Work on the facility began last November and included rebuilding its entrance gates for harbor truckers, installing a new terminal operating system, and adding more than 100 new pieces of cargo-handling equipment.

“Across the port we’re taking steps to improve performance and efficiency,” said John Driscoll, maritime director at the port.  “We’re pleased that the management of Ben E. Nutter Terminal shares our desire to upgrade operations in Oakland.”

The Nutter terminal is managed by Everport Terminal Services and serves ships operated by Taiwan-based Evergreen Marine. Evergreen ships began calling at the terminal in 2002. The company, one of the largest container carriers in the world, began offering full container service to North America in 1975 and to the Pacific Coast in 1976.

The terminal is named after former Port of Oakland Executive Director Ben E. Nutter, who retired in 1977 after serving for 15 years as Executive Director of the Port of Oakland.

Considered a pioneer in containerized trade, Nutter oversaw the development of the port from a mid-sized general cargo facility into one of the country’s most globally competitive box ports.