By Karen Robes Meeks
The Port of Oakland reached its highest volume of containerized imports in nearly two years, according to latest statistics released by the port June 9.
Imports reached 82,440 TEUs last month, a 1.4 percent jump from May 2016, which saw 81,293 TEUs. It was the most the port took in since August 2015, when it moved 82,492 TEUs.
“Our import volume has been up four consecutive months,” said Port of Oakland Maritime Director John Driscoll. “That’s encouraging as we head into the traditionally busy summer-fall peak season.”
About 48 percent of containers that move through Oakland are imports.
Meanwhile, the port handled 78,585 TEUs in exports, down 6.4 percent from 83,969 TEUs.
In terms of overall volume, which include imports, exports and empty containers, Oakland handled about 211,020 TEUs, just about the same amount of cargo it moved in May 2016 with 211,769 TEUs.
The port, however, is encouraged by the 2.2 percent growth of its overall volume in the first five months in 2017. Although the number of ships coming to Oakland was down 7 percent, the vessels that are visiting are much larger. Weekly visits to Oakland include megaships that can carry up to 14,000 TEUs.
