Case Study: New Berth at Antioch Terminal, CA
Location: Antioch Terminal, California
Timeline: April 2024 (Berth Operational), July 2023 (Construction Completed)
Project Facts
Site History
- Former Gaylord Paper Antioch Marine Terminal, built in 1955 for wood pulp unloading
- Renovated in 1956 with concrete beams and slabs after a fire
- Long-term lease by Amports since 2017
Infrastructure Inspections
- Commissioned in 2017 by Amports, conducted by COWI
- Above-water and underwater evaluations performed
Design and Construction
- Schematic design based on California State Lands Commission standards
- Collaborative effort with engineers, port unions, local authorities and U.S. Coast Guard
- Project completed in July 2023 after extensive coordination and approvals
Berth Details
- Purpose-built to accommodate RoRo (Roll-on/Roll-off) car carriers
- First vessel docked: Viking Emerald on April 18, 2024
- Total units processed in 2024: 6,486 vehicles across three vessels
The Problem
By 2017 the Amports Antioch terminal was serving key OEM customers with storage solutions. However, the lack of a dedicated berth for RoRo vessels created logistics bottlenecks and limited the terminal’s capacity to expand its services.
OEMs required a solution to streamline vehicle imports, reduce lead times and support their growing operations in the U.S. market. The challenge was to transform a decades-old terminal, originally designed for wood pulp unloading, into a state-of-the-art facility for automotive imports.
The Solution
Amports embarked on an ambitious project to build a new berth at Antioch Terminal, ensuring it meet modern industry standards and customer needs.
Inspection and Design
- Commissioned detailed inspections of the terminal’s infrastructure, including underwater evaluations by COWI
- Developed a schematic design outlining necessary upgrades to accommodate RoRo car carriers
Collaboration and Execution
- Partnered with TranSystems for project management and CS Marine for construction
- Worked with U.S. Coast Guard to develop a security plan and gain operational approval
- Coordinated with:
- Local authorities to secure permissions for vessel docking
- Port unions to align workforce operations
- Pilots and shipping lines to ensure safe navigation through the San Joaquin River
- OEM customers and trucking companies for seamless vehicle transport to their final destinations
Operational Excellence
- Successfully launched the berth in April 2024, with the Viking Emerald as the first vessel to dock
- Processed over 6,000 vehicles within the first three months of operation
The Results
- Improved Efficiency. Faster processing times and reduced logistical complexities for OEM customers
- Enhanced Capacity Ability to handle multiple RoRo car carriers, meeting growing market demands
- Long-Term Value. Reinforced Amports’ position as a trusted partner to OEMs through infrastructure innovation
This project highlights Amports’ ability to transform challenges into opportunities. From restoring a historical terminal to pioneering a berth tailored for modern RoRo operations.
