Port of Oakland’s January box volumes rise 4.3%

The port said its increase in exports, which increased 2.1 percent to 74,883 TEUs, were boosted by a weak dollar.    The Port of Oakland’s container terminals handled 205,841 TEUs in January, up 4.3 percent year-over-year, thanks to a boost in empty container volumes and loaded export containers.
   Outbound container volumes in January increased 2.1 percent to 74,883 TEUs from 12 months prior. It was the second consecutive month of export growth at the port, and follows a 0.8 percent decline in Oakland exports during 2017. The port said a weakening dollar contributed to the January increase, noting American products are more affordable overseas when the dollar’s value declines.
   However, loaded import containers were down 7 percent to 75,136 TEUs.
   Exports of refrigerated commodities climbed in January, with port exports jumping 20 percent last month when compared to January 2017, while beef shipments were up 18 percent.
   The port is currently constructing Cool Port, a 283,000-square-foot refrigerated distribution center, to facilitate U.S. meat exports to Asia. The facility is scheduled to open in August.
   “We expect volumes to increase as we open our new facilities,” said Port of Oakland Maritime Director John Driscoll.