Oct. imports up 9% at Port of Oakland, biggest gain in 6 months

Strategic push, diversions from Southern California lifted cargo volume

Oakland, CA – Nov. 20, 2014 – Containerized imports shipped through the Port of Oakland surged 9.17% in October from a year ago. The Port said it was the biggest jump in import cargo volume in six months.

According to statistics released today, vessels discharged the equivalent of 73,124 20-foot import containers in Oakland during October. That was up from 66,983 containers handled in the same period last year. Port executives attributed the growth to two factors:

• A strategic drive to increase import volumes at the Port of Oakland; and
• Congestion at Southern California ports leading shippers to reroute cargo through Oakland.

“We’re attracting additional import volume by taking advantage of our available capacity,” said Port of Oakland Maritime Director John Driscoll. “Customers need a way around congestion and they are beginning to see Oakland as a solution.”

Port officials said cargo diversions from Southern California are adding hundreds of additional import containers weekly to Oakland volumes. Last week the first vessel diverted from Southern California to bypass congestion arrived in Oakland.

The Port has undertaken a series of measures in recent years to attract more import volume. They include increased water depth for larger vessels, bigger cargo-handling cranes and outreach to importers and shipping lines.

The Port said total cargo volume – imports and exports – was up 3.84% in October from a year ago. Year-to-date volume has increased 1.81%.

About the Port of Oakland
The Port of Oakland oversees the Oakland seaport and Oakland International Airport. The Port's jurisdiction includes 20 miles of waterfront from the Bay Bridge through Oakland International Airport. The Oakland seaport is the fifth busiest container port in the U.S.; Oakland International Airport is the second largest San Francisco Bay Area airport offering over 300 daily passenger and cargo flights; and the Port’s real estate includes commercial developments such as Jack London Square and hundreds of acres of public parks and conservation areas. Together, through Port operations and those of its tenants and users, the Port supports more than 73,000 jobs in the region and nearly 827,000 jobs across the United States. The Port of Oakland was established in 1927 and is an independent department of the City of Oakland. Connect with the Port of Oakland and Oakland International Airport through Facebook, or with the Port on Twitter, YouTube, and at www.portofoakland.com.

Marilyn Sandifur
Port Spokesperson
Port of Oakland
(510) 627-1193
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