Oakland Maritime News

One of America's top seaports is set to launch an interagency effort to provide relief to agricultural exporters who are facing shortages of export capacity and skyrocketing logistics costsThe Port of Oakland announced Monday it is launching a program that involves the use of additional yard space and equipment, restored export ship calls and assistance to agricultural export users.The port will open and operate a 25-acre off-terminal, paved container yard equipped to move containers off chassis and store them for rapid pick-up.

The Port of Oakland reported all-time high container volume for import and export cargo in the month of March amid an ongoing trade boom exploding through U.S. ports.The port said Oakland received the equivalent of 97,538 20-foot import containers in March. It said it shipped out the equivalent of 94,169 20-foot export boxes. Both totals were single-month records at the 94-year-old port. March imports were up 45% from the same month a year ago, the port said. March 2020 was when the port felt the initial impacts of the pandemic. Exports gained 12% year-over-year.

A longshore laborer at the Port of Oakland reportedly fell to his death from the deck of a containership at berth in the early hours on Tuesday.The International Longshore and Warehouse Union confirmed that the accident victim was one of its members. The port said the fatal accident was under investigation by local authorities.“This is a tragedy that strikes everyone very deeply,” said Port of Oakland Maritime Director John Driscoll. “The waterfront is a tightly knit community and if a member of that community succumbs…

San Francisco Bay-based container ship facility Port of Oakland said its containerized import volume jumped 7.3 percent last month over January 2019 totals.Exports were up, too, the Port said, lifting hopes for recovery from a U.S.-China trade war. One question remained, however: would concern over the fast-spreading coronavirus dampen trade growth?“It’s possible,” said Port of Oakland Maritime Director John Driscoll. “The uptick in January was encouraging but we’re hearing from shipping lines that cargo volume could moderate over the next few months.”Oakland’s year-over-year import volume increase in January followed three straight months of decline, the Port said. Exports rose 3.3 percent in January, up for the fourth straight month. The Port said consumer demand – both in the U.S.

The container ship facility located in the San Francisco Bay, Port of Oakland 2019 container volume decreased 1.8 percent from 2018. The Port attributed the decline to fewer empty containers but said loaded import and export containers were at a record high.Oakland handled the equivalent of 2.5 million 20-foot containers (TEUs) in 2019 versus 2.55 million in 2018. The Port attributed the dip to a 13 percent drop in empty container handling.On the other hand, export volume increased 3.7 percent last year, the Port said. Imports were up 1 percent. As a result, the Port set a record for loaded containers in 2019 with 1.9 million TEUs. The Port broke a 2018 record of 1.86 million loaded TEUs. The Port said the results were promising given a China-U.S.

The Port of Oakland is a major container ship facility located in Oakland, California, in the San Francisco Bay, said that its loaded container volume from January through September increased 3.1 percent compared to the same period in 2018.The Port said that despite a dip last month, loaded exports are outpacing last year’s numbers.Loaded imports are up 3.5 percent and loaded exports are up 2.7 percent compared to the same January-September period in 2018.The Port attributed this growth to continued demand for imports of goods to satisfy the demand from consumers in the strong regional economy of Northern California. Export volumes also continue to grow as U.S.

The Port of Oakland’s refrigerated exports have jumped 20% in past year. The Port said it handled 119,756 20-foot containers of refrigerated exports from August 2018 through July 2019. That was up from 99,740 in the same period a year ago."The figures reinforce Oakland’s position as the largest exporter of refrigerated cargo in containers among U.S. ports," said a press release from the container ship facility located in Oakland, California, in the San Francisco Bay.“Our business partners are investing to meet increased overseas demand for U.S. farm goods,” said Port of Oakland Maritime Director John Driscoll. “When you couple their expertise with our infrastructure…

The container ship facility in the San Francisco Bay Port of Oakland said that peak season has begun with growth in containerized cargo volume. The Port reported that import loads increased 3.1 percent last month compared to August 2018. Exports rose 1 percent. Empty container shipments declined 14 percent.The Port said it handled the equivalent of 88,323 20-foot loaded import containers last month. That made it Oakland’s busiest August ever for inbound loads. Export volume was 75,080 containers, the Port said. It pointed out that export totals have now risen year-over-year for six consecutive months.The Port attributed August cargo increases to a pair of influences: Continued strong U.S.

The Port of Oakland, a container ship facility located in Oakland, California, in the San Francisco Bay, said that July was the busiest in the Port’s 92-year history for containerized import cargo. According to the Port, it handled the equivalent of 90,598 20-foot import containers in July. It was the first time ever that Oakland import volume had crossed the 90,000-container threshold in a single month.The total surpassed the Port’s old monthly record of 87,207 containers set in June 2018, it said.July import volume was up 7.5 percent from the same period a year ago. The Port attributed the gain to strong U.S. consumer demand.“This is the fourth-time import volume has increased in the past five months,” pointed out Port of Oakland Maritime Director John Driscoll.

The San Francisco Bay container ship facility Port of Oakland said that  its containerized export volume  increased in the first half of 2019 thanks to China’s neighbors.Port data released today showed double-digit export volume percentage increases through June 30 to South Korea, Japan and Taiwan. Trade with those three nations alone offset a 17 percent drop in exports to China, the Port said.Exports to China have dropped by the equivalent of 14,000 20-foot cargo containers this year, the Port said. China is Oakland’s largest trading partner. On the other hand, shipments to South Korea are up 10,000; Japan 7,000; and Taiwan, 3,000.The trade numbers indicate that Oakland exporters are countering the effects of Chinese tariffs imposed on U.S. shipments.

Bigger ships are challenging the Port of Oakland with never-seen-before container volumes. The Port said today that vessels on average load and unload the equivalent of 1,767 20-foot boxes each time they visit here. It’s the highest container move count in Port history, up 9 percent from 2018 and 50 percent over 2009.The Port said higher move counts result from shipping lines consolidating more cargo on bigger ships. It added that bigger loads test the Port’s cargo-handling capacity…

Containerized export volume at the Port of Oakland spiked last month, again turning trade war logic on its head.The Port said that exports, primarily to Asia, were up 8.4 percent compared to May 2018 totals. Imports were up, too, climbing 4.2 percent over last year.According to a release from the port, it handled the equivalent of 85,964 20-foot import containers in May. Exports totaled 78,070 containers.Oakland has now reported improved year-over-year import and export performance for three straight months. The trend contradicts analyst warnings of trade declines in the face of an ongoing U.S.-China tariff skirmish.“Logic tells us that at some point…

The Port of Oakland reported a record-setting 2018 in cargo movement, on account of an expected spike in imports aimed at beating new tariffs on goods shipped from China.According to data released by the port, it handled the equivalent of 2.55 million 20-foot containers last year. That was up 5.2 percent from 2017 volume. It was the second straight year of record volume in Oakland, the Port said.According to Port figures, 2018 import cargo volume increased 5 percent while exports declined 3.5 percent. The volume of empty containers returned to origin destinations for future import loads increased 19.7 percent."Multiple influences were at work in 2018 shaping cargo flows, including a China-U.S.

The Port of Oakland had its busiest November ever for imports in 2018, shattering an 11-year-old record. The Port said today that it handled the equivalent of 83,364 loaded 20-foot import containers last month. That beat the old November record of 76,902 containers set in 2007. November imports were up 15 percent over the same period in 2017.The Port attributed the increase in cargo volume to continued strong U.S. consumer spending. It added that importers are rushing cargo into the U.S. in case new tariffs are imposed next year in the ongoing trade war with China.“We’re encouraged by our latest cargo statistics,” said Port of Oakland Maritime Director John Driscoll.

A U.S.-China tit-for-tat over tariffs hasn’t dampened cargo volume growth at the Port of Oakland. In fact, the Port is on track for its third straight year of record container volume in 2018, stated the Port authorities.But can it last? That’s the question supply chain experts pondered this week at the quarterly meeting of the Port’s Efficiency Task Force. Forty trade and transportation executives ranging from longshore labor representatives to cargo owners gathered to discuss trade dynamics. Their consensus: cargo volume is spiking right now but could drop by January.“We’re peaking,” said a major U.S. West Coast freight forwarder, “but it may not go on much longer.”Here were the trends noted by Task Force members assembled in Oakland: Warehouses are filling up as U.S.

Four ship-to-shore cranes at Oakland International Container Terminal (OICT), the busiest terminal at the Port of Oakland, are 27 feet taller following completion this week of a year-long, crane-raising project.The fourth and final raised crane went back into service yesterday and is ready to serve larger ships with containers stacked high above vessel decks. Oakland already works the biggest containerships that call North America.Stevedoring Services of America (SSA) operates OICT and managed the crane-raising project in partnership with the Port of Oakland.“Taller cranes are critical for loading and unloading massive container ships that arrive at our marine terminal,” said SSA President Ed DeNike.

A freight distribution center placing high-demand logistics capability inside a global trade gateway will soon take shape here. The Port of Oakland said today that work should begin this fall on a long-awaited Seaport Logistics Complex.The complex is envisioned as a cargo-handling campus that could change the trajectory of Port business. Currently a West Coast terminus for Transpacific trade vessels, Oakland could eventually double as a major freight distribution point.“This is our future,” said Port of Oakland Maritime Director John Driscoll. “The Seaport Logistics Complex will give freight shippers the opportunity to manage international supply chains right next door to the rail yards and marine terminals where their cargo is transported.”CenterPoint Properties…

Port of Oakland containerized import volume reached an all-time high last month, according to data released today. The port said it handled the equivalent of 87,207 20-foot import containers in June. That beat the previous monthly record of 84,835 containers set last July. June import volume was up 8.7 percent over June 2017, the port said. It explained that two factors may have led to the increase: Peak season – the summer-fall period when most U.S. imports from Asia are shipped – is expected to be strong; and importers may have ordered aggressively in June ahead of tariffs imposed this month by the U.S. and China.“Retailers have been forecasting a good peak season for containerized imports, so June’s numbers weren’t surprising,” said Port of Oakland Maritime Director John Driscoll.

Port of Oakland import volume should grow at a steady pace in the coming peak season. There’s a wild card, however: global trade tension. That was the cautionary outlook delivered yesterday at a meeting of the Port’s Efficiency Task Force. Members of the advisory panel of customers, labor and transportation leaders forecast 2 percent growth in containerized imports from August through October. They added, however, that a looming U.S.-China trade war could dampen Oakland cargo volume. “We’ve seen a peak season pattern of steady volume growth over the last three years,” said Port of Oakland Maritime Director John Driscoll. Recently imposed tariffs threaten to weaken demand for commodities shipped in ocean containers.

Oakland’s largest marine terminal operator plans to clear the air using hybrid cargo-handling technology. SSA Terminals said today it will retrofit 13 diesel-powered cranes with diesel-electric hybrid engines. The upgrade is estimated to eliminate more than 45 tons of exhaust emissions annually at the Port of Oakland. The projected cost to upgrade the cargo-handlers, known as Rubber Tired Gantry Cranes, is more than $6 million. The Bay Area Air Quality Management District this month approved a $5.1 million Community Health Protection Grant Program / Carl Moyer Program allocation for the project. The cranes will continue to operate at SSA’s Oakland International Container Terminal in the Port.

Up to six 366-foot-tall cranes will soon be raised 27-feet higher at the Port of Oakland. The port said the $14 million-to-$21 million project will begin this spring at its largest marine terminal. The objective: make it easier to load and unload megaships with containers stacked high above deck. “We’re already working the largest ships to call in North America,” said Port of Oakland Maritime Director John Driscoll. The governing Board of Port Commissioners approved the crane plan at a meeting last night. It calls for installing longer legs on four-to-six cranes at Oakland International Container Terminal. The terminal handles 70 percent of Oakland’s cargo. Last winter it received the 1,300-foot long Benjamin Franklin, the largest container ship ever to visit the U.S.

A $1.5 million subsidy program to stimulate night and weekend business at the Port of Oakland has been extended. The port’s largest marine terminal operator responded saying it will use the program to further expand weeknight operations. The announcement comes as the Port abandons its traditional 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. operating model. “The old way doesn’t work any longer,” said Port Executive Director Chris Lytle. Port Commissioners voted last week to continue through June 30 the fund that partially subsidizes extended gate hours. It had been scheduled to expire this week.

New statistics out today show that containerized import volume at the Port of Oakland increased 12.6 percent last month. The Port reported that it handled the equivalent of 79,135 20-foot import containers. A search of records indicates that it was the largest September import volume in the Port’s history. “This is the peak season for container shipping, when we expect higher import volumes ahead of the year-end holidays,” said Port of Oakland Maritime Director John Driscoll. According to Port data, last month’s import surge topped the previous September record of 77,071 containers. That was set back in 2006. The Port said that import volume is up 4.1 percent year-to-date compared to 2016. It added that the higher volume reflects increased spending by U.S. consumers on overseas goods.