THE Port of Oakland enjoyed its busiest September on record after its TEU volume soared five per cent compared to the same period last year
THE Port of Oakland enjoyed its busiest September on record after its TEU volume soared five per cent compared to the same period last year. It is the second month in a row that the port has seen its TEU volume rise, after August saw an increase of 9.2 per cent compared with the same time in 2017. This means it handled 168,289 TEU in August-September, a new record. One more month of import growth could give Oakland its busiest peak-season in its 91-year history.
The port attributed the increase in traffic on the growing US economy and rapidly rising consumer confidence. However, it also warned that it is too soon to judge the effects of the US-China trade war and that it could see US$2 billion worth of imports affected if tensions escalate, reports London's Port Technology International.
Maritime director, Port of Oakland, John Driscoll, commented: 'We're encouraged by this outcome and guardedly optimistic that the trend will continue throughout peak season.
'Economic indicators lead us to believe that import volumes should remain healthy.'
The port reported that total container volume - which includes imports, exports and empty containers, is up 3.4 per cent this year. 'If the trend holds, Oakland would break its all-time total volume record established in 2017,' the port said.
