By Karen Robes Meeks
The Port of Oakland handled 81,895 TEUs of imported cargo last month, a nine percent jump from January 2018, making it the busiest January on record for imports. It marks six straight months of rising imports, according to the port.
Officials credited the surge to US shippers rushing products into the country because of the worry about future Chinese tariff increases and importers stocking up on goods before Asian factories close to celebrate the annual Lunar New Year. Asia is Oakland’s biggest trade market.
“Concern over international trade issues has driven unprecedented import volume,” said Port of Oakland Maritime Director John Driscoll. “We’re watching closely to see what happens next.”
