Port of Oakland's first half throughput rises 12.9pc

THE Port of Oakland's container traffic rose 12.9 per cent during the first half of the year to 1.09 million TEU compared to the first six months of 2009.

"We are optimistic about the improvement," said Lawrence Dunnigan, manager of business development and international marketing. "But we are watching very closely to see whether this continues if inventories get replenished and consumers spend."

The port's throughput result also indicates that box traffic has been increasing on an accelerating basis this year, reports the Oakland Tribune.

"We're pleased to see that cargo activity is on the rise," said Oakland port executive director Omar Benjamin. "We hope to see it sustained because that would mean a better future for our maritime tenants and customers and our community."

Oakland port's June volumes were 21 per cent higher than June 2009. May's container throughput was up 19 per cent from May last year.

In autumn last year, the port authority "substantially completed" the US$433 million dredging programme that deepened the Oakland harbour from a previous depth of 42 feet to a new depth of 50 feet.

This enabled the port to accommodate the 8,500-TEU Cosco Indonesia for the first time. "In addition to acquiring larger vessels, carriers are adding more services at Oakland," said Oakland port maritime director James Kwon.
(Source:www.schednet.com)