Loaded shipping container volume at the US Port of Oakland reached an all-time high in 2016 due to “a year-long containerized export boom as well as growth in imports .”
The port handled the equivalent of 1.83 million loaded 20-foot containers last year, up 7.6 percent from 2015, topping the previous record of 1.82 million 20-footers set in 2013.
“This is a gratifying outcome. The job now is clear – build on the momentum we created in 2016,” John Driscoll, Port of Oakland Maritime Director, said.
The Port of Oakland said its total 2016 volume equaled 2.37 million 20-foot containers, up 4 percent from 2015.
Containerized export volume jumped 10.5 percent and imports increased 4.7 percent in 2016. Exports accounted for 52 percent of Oakland’s loaded container volume in 2016, according to the port.
In December, exports were up 13.5 percent and imports 6.1 percent. It was the fourth straight month of double-digit export growth.
The port said its 2016 goal was to protect cargo volume despite reducing the number of marine terminals. Oakland consolidated terminals to eliminate a capacity glut, then spread its subsequent volume increase among remaining terminals.
The Port of Oakland oversees the Oakland seaport, Oakland International Airport, and 20 miles of waterfront.