Logistics service provider expands renewable fuels terminal at California port 

By Jeff Stagl, Managing Editor 

BWC Terminals and the Port of Stockton recently marked a milestone for the movement of renewable fuels at the deepwater inland port along the San Joaquin River in northern California. 

In late April, BWC completed an expansion of its renewable fuels terminal at the port that features the first newly constructed marine oil terminal engineering and maintenance standards-compliant dock built in California in nearly 30 years. Those standards establish minimum engineering, inspection and maintenance criteria for marine oil terminals regarding public health, safety and the environment, including improved resistance to earthquakes and oil spills. 

BWC provides bulk liquid storage and logistics services to bulk liquid manufacturers, refiners, producers and distributors in North America. The company manages 22 facilities with more than 20 million barrels of storage capacity equipped to store renewable fuels, as well as various agriculture, specialty chemical, food grade and petroleum-based products. 

The Stockton port terminal, which long has been a critical hub for renewable diesel and biodiesel, receives shipments by rail, says Kortnie Joyner, BWC Terminals’ vice president of human resources and communications.  

Central California Traction Co. provides industrial switching service at the port and interchanges with BNSF Railway Co. and Union Pacific Railroad. The largest inland port on the West Coast and California’s third-largest port, the Port of Stockton features 55 miles of track and more than 8,000 feet of on-dock rail space for direct ship-to-rail operations. By land size, it’s the state’s second-largest port, at about 4,200 acres 

“With the addition of our new dock, customers can now access larger volumes of renewable fuels, enabling efficient distribution by both truck and rail,” says Joyner. “Over the past several years, we have made substantial investments to expand our facility, ensuring it can accommodate increased rail traffic and support the growing demand for renewable energy.” 

Since 2020, BWC has expanded its Stockton terminal about fivefold to support low-carbon fuel movements into the northern California market.  

“This expansion helps California meet its carbon reduction goals while reaching areas traditionally difficult to electrify,” says Joyner. 

The multi-phase infrastructure development in Stockton has primarily relied on receiving inbound product by rail from points in the U.S. midcontinent and along the Gulf Coast. With the completion of the dock, BWC now has an additional method for receiving low-carbon fuels, further strengthening distribution efforts, says Joyner.  

“BWC remains committed to delivering low-carbon fuels via both rail and our newly completed dock,” she says. “Once received at the Stockton terminal, these fuels are stored in advanced tanks before being efficiently loaded onto trucks through our state-of-the-art truck loading facility, ensuring seamless distribution into the local market.” 

The dock is designed to safely and efficiently transfer renewable diesel and biodiesel from marine vessels. It features spill containment, fire protection and seismic resilience equipment and upgraded vessel mooring infrastructure. 

“By providing a modern infrastructure capable of supporting renewable fuel operations, we’re helping drive the transition toward cleaner and greener fuels,” said Kirk DeJesus, the port’s director, in a press release. “This new facility will not only accommodate the growing demand for low-emission fuel but also position the port as a leader in supporting California’s ambitious climate goals and the future of sustainable shipping.”