The Port of Oakland recently welcomed Honolulu-based Matson Inc.’s new vessel route, the CCX Service.
The new service, which started July 27 and will leave China every 3 to 5 weeks, is big for the Northern California seaport because it’s the first time Matson is offering the China-to-Oakland route, which will include stops at Ningbo and Shanghai in China and Long Beach and Honolulu. It’s also the third time this year that Oakland is being introduced as a first-call service.
“The new CCX service reflects exploding U.S. demand for imports from China,” the port said in a statement. “First-call status indicates that importers are targeting Oakland.”
Oakland is already on track to move 2.6 million containers this year, port data show.
“Matson is a big part of the port’s business and we’re gratified that they want to expand our relationship by opening a Northern California gateway to China,” said port Maritime Director Bryan Brandes. “The fact that it’s a first call underscores the importance cargo owners place on Oakland.”
