Port of Oakland sees five-years of record volume starting in 2018
Port of Oakland maritime officials anticipate a five-year run of record cargo volume beginning next year. By 2022, the Port expects to handle the equivalent of 2.6 million 20-foot containers annually. It would be 8 percent more volume than the Port has ever processed in a single year, the company said in its press release.
The figures appear in a Strategic Maritime Roadmap released by the Port this month. The blueprint for the future foresees increased cargo volume arriving at Oakland on larger ships. Northern California’s booming freight market will drive the growth, the Port said. New logistics capabilities, such as distribution centers and freight transfer facilities, should provide a further boost, it added.
“We’re serving a thriving area and developing new services for our customers,” pointed out Oakland’s Maritime Director, John Driscoll. “The combination should be positive for everyone who relies on the Port for their business or their job.”
The Port’s Roadmap forecasts record volume of more than 2.4 million cargo containers in 2018. The current record is 2.39 million set three years ago. The Port said it anticipates steady growth – and new volume records - for the next five years.
The Port predicted that ships arriving here would be 35 percent larger within 15 years. They’ll carry up to 18,000 containers, reducing the number of vessels needed in Oakland. That should help mitigate the impact of cargo growth. Fewer ships means fewer diesel exhaust emissions.
The Port said its new logistics developments will rise near rail lines to reduce the reliance on trucks. That’s expected to further curb diesel emissions.
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.
