By Karen Robes Meeks
The Port of Oakland handles 90,598 TEUs in imports last month, the busiest month in the port’s 92-year history and the first time it surpassed the 90,000 TEU mark in a single month.
It broke the previous record of 87,207 containers set in June 2018, according to recent statistics released by the port. Imports in July were also up 7.5 percent from July 2018.
“This is the fourth-time import volume has increased in the past five months,” pointed out Port of Oakland Maritime Director John Driscoll. “This demonstrates the continued strength of the US economy and consumer purchasing power.”
Exports in July were also up 10.2 percent from July 2018, making it five months in a row of year-over-year growth in exports.
How the new tariffs on Chinese imports, with some expected to take effect on Sept. 1, will affect Oakland’s numbers remains uncertain.