Container volumes at Port of Oakland continued rising in the first quarter of 2019 following shippers’ attempts to stay ahead of new tariffs affecting the U.S.-China trade.
The port reported a positive first quarter in cargo volume as it handled 612,151 TEUs for the period through the end of March 2019, marking a rise of 4.2 percent compared to 587,356 TEUs recorded during the same period in 2018.
“Though the import rally has calmed down, we are still seeing a strong consumer demand in Northern California and Western Nevada,” John Driscoll, Port of Oakland Maritime Director, said.
“The Bay Area’s strong consumer-based economy has helped the Port of Oakland absorb the impact of the weakening rally better than other ports.”
In March alone, the port reported a volume of 213,972 TEUs compared to 193,341 TEUs seen in the same month in 2018, representing a 10.7 percent increase. Loaded exports also grew 7.6 percent in March compared to the same month a year earlier.