By Karen Robes Meeks
A new direct service to Vietnam will launch at the Port of Oakland later this month, the port announced April 15.
Pacific International Lines (PIL) will begin direct service to the Asian country called AC5, in partnership with Cosco and Wan Hai. The new route, which will use vessels that can accommodate as many as 11,900 TEUs, will make stops in Haiphong, Nansha, Hong Kong, Yantian, Long Beach and Oakland.
“PIL’s new direct service from the Port of Oakland is a good sign of increasing demand on Vietnam routes,” said Port of Oakland Maritime Director John Driscoll. “Vietnam is showing strong growth in its import and export markets.”
Vietnam was the port’s third biggest import market and fifth largest export market last year. Since 2015, U.S. exports to Vietnam from Oakland have risen by 126 percent when measured by volume, while imports have increased 29 percent.
