Port of Oakland Reports Busiest Quarter on Record
According to recent data, The Port of Oakland has seen record levels in the first quarter of 2021 as recent trade surge has pushed both imports and exports to record-breaking levels.
The port saw over 630,000 20-foot containers between January and March, topping the port’s previous record set in 2019.
Officials said the surge reflects unprecedented activity levels in trade between the U.S. and Asia, which currently shows no sign of letting up.
“Our business has been growing for nearly a year now,” said Port of Oakland’s Maritime Director Bryan Brandes. He expects the trend line to keep going up based on recent data and figures.
The Port of Oakland has expressed further trade growth optimism due to near-record freight rates on the transpacific, full ships, and long wait times in the ports of Long Beach and Los Angeles.
“Industry analysts attribute the ongoing trade surge to a recovering U.S. economy. Much of the momentum, they say, comes from the coronavirus-weary public,” said the port.
The Port of Oakland is the busiest port on the West Coast behind the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach.
