Oakland, CA - June 20, 2008 – Port of Oakland officials welcomed the 8,600 TEU* (Twenty-foot Equivalent Unit) capacity NYK Vesta on her first call to the Port of Oakland on Thursday, June 19, 2008 making her the largest container ship to call the Port to date. Representatives from NYK Line, the San Francisco Bar Pilots Association, SSA Terminals, and the Port of Oakland met in Oakland last month to coordinate the efforts between all interests to ensure the safety and success of this significant port call.

According to Port of Oakland Maritime Director James Kwon, “This ship is a symbol of the importance of our -50 foot harbor-deepening project which is nearing completion in 2009. A deeper harbor means we can remain competitive by accommodating these mega ships and continue to deliver economic benefits to our local community and the region.”

The vessel called at the Oakland International Container Terminal operated by SSA Terminals. Captain Peter John Reville, Master of the NYK Vesta, received the traditional Bear of Oakland presentation plaque from Lawrence Dunnigan, Port of Oakland Maritime Business Development and International Marketing Manager and Dan Westerlin, Port of Oakland Maritime Senior Advisor.

"The Port of Oakland is pleased to welcome the NYK Vesta, which is equipped with advanced environmental safety features. We look forward to also welcoming her sister vessel in July and other vessels of similar size and class in the future." stated Mr. Dunnigan.

The NYK Vesta is 338.2 meters long, 45.6 meters wide, has a gross tonnage of 97,825 tons and a TEU capacity of 8,600. She is propelled by a B&W 12K98ME engine which delivers approximately 87,000 horsepower. The vessel was built in 2007 by Hyundai Heavy industries and is equipped with the most advanced environmental safety measures, including an electronically controlled engine and a specialized hull structure to prevent fuel-oil leakage. The NYK Vesta was the third ship of four identical NYK vessels which have been built between October 2006 and April 2007. Her sister vessels are: NYK Vega, NYK Venus and NYK Virgo. NYK Venus is scheduled to call the Port of Oakland in July, 2008.

*TEU Container sizes are measured by an international standard called a TEU or Twenty-foot Equivalent Unit. Containers vary in size, but the most common container size is 40 feet in length or 2 TEUs.

About the Port of Oakland
The Port of Oakland oversees the Oakland seaport, Oakland International Airport and 20 miles of waterfront. The Oakland seaport is the third busiest containerport on the North America West Coast. Oakland International Airport offers more than 200 daily non-stop flights to 38 destinations; and the Port’s real estate includes commercial developments such as Jack London Square, as well as hundreds of acres of public parks and conservation areas. The Port of Oakland was established in 1927 and is an independent department of the City of Oakland. www.portofoakland.com

Marilyn Sandifur
Port of Oakland Spokesperson
(510) 627-1193
msandifur@portoakland.com