For Immediate Release
October 23, 2003

Port of Oakland Container Volume Up 7.4% in September
(Both Import and Export Volume are up Over the Same Month Last Year)

Oakland, Calif. (October 23, 2003) - The Port of Oakland, CA handled 159,298 Twenty-Foot Equivalent Units (TEUs) in September, 7.4% more than in the same period of last year. Imports were up 3.6% and exports were up 7.2%. For the third quarter, the Port handled 499,325 TEUs, up 6.4% compared to the third quarter of 2002. Year to date through September, volume is up 13% compared with the same time period in 2002.

Jerry Bridges, Maritime Director at the Port of Oakland, indicates that while cargo volume has moderated from the double-digit growth experienced in the first two quarters of 2003, the Port still anticipates a record year for 2003. "We continue to capitalize on the increased capacity derived from the completion of Vision 2000 last year."

The Port of Oakland was established in 1927 as an independent department of the City of Oakland. The Port of Oakland oversees Oakland International Airport, the Oakland seaport and 19 miles of waterfront. The Oakland seaport handled 1.7 million TEUs in 2002 and is the 4th busiest containerport in the U.S. Some 32 ocean carriers provide service into and out of Oakland. The seaport consists of 11 major marine terminals, two near-dock rail facilities and approximately 900 acres of marine and rail terminals.

Contact:
Marilyn Sandifur
Manager, Media and Public Relations
(510) 627-1193
msandifur@portoakland.com