OAKLAND: Import volume at the Port of Oakland has reached a two-year high, which officials say is a good sign as the port heads into the busy summer-fall shipping season. The port handled the equivalent of 82,440 20-foot import containers, up 1.4 percent from May 2016, the highest volume since August 2015, when it handled the equivalent of 82,492 20-foot import boxes, according to information released by the port on Thursday. The news comes as 2016 saw a record level of loaded shipping container volume at the port, despite it having consolidated its number of shipping terminals earlier in the year. Most of that came from a year-long growth clip in exports — particularly agricultural products — that were in demand in Asia.
Oakland’s position near California’s growing regions like the Napa Valley and Central Valley, and as a departure point for Asian-bound ships, has long helped boost its export business, but import volume has also been on the rise for a while. Imports account for 48 percent of containers shipped through Oakland.“Our import volume has been up four consecutive months,” said Port of Oakland Maritime Director John Driscoll in a news release from the port. “That’s encouraging as we head into the traditionally busy summer-fall peak season.”
Overall volume at the port, including imports, exports and empty containers, increased 2.2 percent during the first five months in 2017 compared to the same period last year, even though the number of vessels visiting Oakland was actually down by 7 percent. That’s due to larger ships carrying more cargo to the port. So-called “megaships” capable of transporting up to 14,000 20-foot containers come to Oakland each week, according to the port. A full look at the port of Oakland’s seaport activity can be found here.
