Vision 2000
Benefiting The American Economy
Over the last twenty years, cargo moving through west coast ports has grown at a double-digit annual rate. In 1980, west coast container trade made up only 18.8% of all U.S. trade and had a cargo value of $61 billion. In 1999, cargo moving through west coast ports will account for over 50% of all US trade and will have a cargo value of $285 billion. In spite of recent economic problems in Asia, many analysts believe that growth in Pacific trade will continue at 5 to 8% per year, and will triple in volume by the year 2020.

With the shallow depths of Oakland channels, competing ports in southern California and Seattle took up much of this expansion. However, the ability for these other ports to continue to expand is limited. The Port of Oakland, through its current opportunity to reuse military lands, can accommodate an increased amount of future Pacific trade.

The American economy benefits by having another major Pacific port operating at greater capacity. During 1997, limitations in port capacity became evident when the Union Pacific Railroad experienced system-wide problems limiting railroad service and backing up cargo in terminal yards. Soon container ships were waiting up to 10 days to be unloaded as containers filled limited storage capacity. American automobile manufacturers in areas like Kentucky and Tennessee felt the pinch as parts failed to arrive on time, slowing their assembly lines. Clearly, America benefits from the Port of Oakland providing additional capacity for Pacific cargo handling.