IMPORTS extended their growth to five straight months in July at the Port of Oakland with import volumes rising 8.7 per cent to 79,713 TEU year on year.
Oakland July imports up 8.7pc after 6.3pc year-long decline to 1.29 million TEUIMPORTS extended their growth to five straight months in July at the Port of Oakland with import volumes rising 8.7 per cent to 79,713 TEU year on year.
Exports were up 0.9 per cent to 74.913 TEU, but year to date volumes declined 6.3 per cent to 1,292,938 TEU compared to first seven months in 2014.
Overall July volume in Oakland - including loaded and empty containers - was up one per cent. The port moved nine per cent fewer empties than it did last year.
Recent numbers reflected a recovery after a slow start to the year. Volumes at all major West Coast ports dropped in January and February. Oakland imports have been on the rise ever since.
The Port said a shortage of longshore labour slowed vessel operations in July. Some ships waited 36 hours to berth. Since then, additional dockworkers have joined the labour pool, the port said.
Port officials said a backlog of vessels has significantly decreased in the past two weeks. "We're working hard to regain momentum," said maritime director John Driscoll.
