By Karen Robes Meeks
The Port of Oakland kicked off its peak season with volume growth.
Imports in August rose 3.1 percent to 88,323 TEUs – the port’s busiest August for imports – while exports inched up 1 percent to 75,080 TEUs from the same period a year ago. It represents the sixth consecutive month of export gains. Meanwhile, empty containers fell 14 percent.
Oakland is crediting August’s numbers to strong U.S. consumer demand for the rise in imports and overseas demand for American farm goods for the export increase.
“It’s good to see volume trending in the right direction,” said Port Maritime Director John Driscoll. “Let’s see now if we can keep it going through the fall.”