Port of Oakland’s import volumes skyrocket in March

The Port of Oakland saw import cargo volumes rise 19 percent year-over-year in March.    The Port of Oakland’s import cargo volumes surged 19 percent year-over-year in March.
   Total loaded container volumes for both imports and exports during the month increased 9.3 percent, the port said.
   The increase in volumes diverges from the 9.2 percent year-over-year drop in February imports. However, it accurately reflects the return to normal trade patterns following the February Lunar New Year celebrations in Asia.
   During the first quarter of 2017, 402 ships called the port, down 5.6 percent from last year. However, this year’s vessels carried an average of 8.4 percent more cargo, leading to the conclusion that Oakland is receiving fewer but larger vessels.
   Fewer vessels means less demand for berthing space and vessel operating expenses, as well as a reduction in diesel emissions, the port explained.
   According to ocean carrier schedule and capacity database BlueWater Reporting‘s Terminal Analysis tool, the Port of Oakland currently caters to 28 container services at three terminals. The services have a combined total deployed capacity of 1.34 million TEUs.