By Karen Robes Meeks
The Port of Oakland handled 250,686 imported TEUs between August and the end of October, making it the port’s busiest peak season for imports. It outpaced the former record of 233,825 TEUs set during the same period last year.
Traditionally, the peak season is the busiest time of the year for ports because retailers ship products to stock shelves in advance of the holiday season. But strong domestic consumer spending and a shipping rush spurred by the upcoming round of tariffs on Chinese goods are also playing a factor in the increased volume, according to the port.
“We’re pleased by our peak season figures,” said Port of Oakland Maritime Director John Driscoll. “Now we’ll see how tariffs affect future trade flows.”
Meanwhile, Oakland moved 82,397 imported TEUs last month, a 7.4 percent jump from October 2017. It was the port’s busiest October in history.