Port of Oakland broke cargo handling record in 2014

A 5.3 percent increase in imports to nearly 2.4 million TEU was reported by the port.    The Port of Oakland handled a record 2.394 million TEUs in 2014, two percent more than in 2013. That broke the record of 2.391 million boxes moved in 2006. A 20 percent surge in December import containers contributed to the record performance. The port said for the year as a whole, import volume was up 5.29 percent, and this was “important because the Port has made import growth a strategic business objective.
   “An unprecedented series of events has brought us to this point,” said Port Maritime Director, John Driscoll. “It’s our job now to efficiently manage the growth.”
   The port attributed the increase to stronger U.S. demand for Asian manufactured goods, its own own marketing efforts and cargo diversions from congested Southern California ports.
   The port said a freight backlog at the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach has rerouted thousands of containers to Oakland. Last month Oakland handled 74,356 loaded import containers, the greatest monthly number since May 2014.
   “The big buildup has temporarily slowed cargo throughput. A labor dispute between waterfront employers and dockworkers is magnifying the slowdown,” the port said.
   It said 10-15 ships are anchored in San Francisco Bay daily awaiting berths at Oakland marine terminals. Some truckers report waits of several hours to pick up cargo. The condition is expected to persist until labor and management agree on a new contract.