A year-long export rally is barreling ahead at the Port of Oakland. The Port said today that September containerized export volume soared 10 percent compared to 2015. It was the eighth increase in nine months and the first double-digit jump since February. The trend is significant because Oakland is considered the U.S. West Coast’s leading export gateway to Asia, the company said in its press release.
“Exports make up more than 50 percent of our overall cargo volume,” said Port of Oakland Maritime Director John Driscoll. “So the continued growth in September shows we’re playing pretty well to our strength.”
The Port said that through the first nine months of 2016, export volume has increased 9 percent. It added that California growers drove much of the improvement, shipping fruit, nuts and wine to Asian consumers.
Overall Oakland cargo volume – full import and export containers – increased 2.7 percent last month, the Port reported. Import volume was down 4.2 percent.
About the Port of Oakland
The Port of Oakland oversees the Oakland seaport, Oakland International Airport, and 20 miles of waterfront. Together with its business partners, the Port supports more than 73,000 jobs in the region and nearly 827,000 jobs across the United States.