Port of Oakland declares itself ready for record peak season imports

The Northern California port could possibly see record setting peak-season import volumes, but cargo should still flow smoothly in and out of its terminals, according to Port of Oakland Maritime Director John Driscoll.

   The Port of Oakland could see record-setting peak season import volumes, but cargo should still flow smoothly in and out of its terminals, according to Maritime Director John Driscoll.
   “We’re hearing that the next two-to-three months could set new containerized import records in the U.S.,” Driscoll said in a forecast delivered just before the expected holiday cargo rush. “If that’s the case, we’re ready; we’ve got plenty of equipment to move cargo and our terminals are operating with high efficiency.”
   Driscoll’s comments followed a bullish forecast from the National Retail Federation, which earlier this month said this month that containerized import volume could reach all-time highs in July and August, the months that traditionally kick off the peak shipping season, when U.S. retailers stock up for back-to-school and holiday sales.
   In line with the prediction, Oakland reported record cargo volumes for June, moving a total of 204,255 TEUs during the month. Additionally, imports at the Northern California port are up 3.4 percent so far this year compared to 2016 and port officials say they expect the trend to continue the next few months.
   According to the Port of Oakland, it is confident in its peak-season preparedness due to numerous factors, including:
     • Marine terminals are loading and unloading ships with a 24-hour average turnaround;
     • Terminals are requiring appointments for truck drivers to pick up import containers, easing crowding at terminal gates;
     • Night gates are also improving cargo flow (the port says Oakland International Container Terminal is processing about 1,200 transactions a night, roughly 20 percent of its daily volume);
     • And an exclusive, off-terminal empty container yard is helping to smooth out traffic (OICT reports about 400 empty pick-ups/deliveries every day).
   In addition, the port has said leasing companies are reporting an adequate supply of chassis, which are essential for hauling containers over the road. The providers are working daily with marine terminals to reposition chassis when peak-period supplies are tight.
   The Port of Oakland has also said that occasional truck queues should thin out by September when a new gate complex opens.