Oakland Port: Maintain Advantages, Concern contribution and Ready for cooperation

Preface: Over the last few years, the trade volume between America and China has been increasing very fast. The figure goes up from 2.5 billion US dollars in 1997 to 262.7 billion US dollars. Within the period between Jan.2007 and Nov.2007 alone, the increase rate reaches 15% compared with the figure in the same period last year; and the total volume exceeds 270 billion US dollars. It is estimated that the figure will break 300 billion US dollars in the whole financial year of 2007.

Since the trade industry between the USA and China develop so fast, Oakland port as the forth-busiest container port in America has developed very well too. The reporter from Shippingchina.com has the honor to interview Mr. Omar R. Benjamin; and obtain the knowledge about the development of Oakland port and deep understanding of its business believe which states as Maintain Advantages, Concern contribution and Ready for cooperation.

Developing based on the city and maintaining advantages
Oakland is located in the state of California, sits in the southeast of Golden Gate Channel and eastern coast of San Francisco. It is a typical flord port; and about 300 sea miles closer to Asia market than California port.

Oakland where the Oakland port sits in is the forth-largest city in the state of California; and also is the heart of the sixth largest city area of Oakland-San Francisco. Consequently the location advantage of the city and the port speaks itself. Since the foundation of Oakland port in 1927, it has strengthened the comprehensive competence dramatically with the economic development of the city.

Mr. Omar R. Benjamin claims in the interview that the reason for the port to become the forth busiest container port and the transportation center of western coast is not only that the port has a location advantage; but also is that Oakland city has advanced transportation system, facilities, and develops very fast.

Mr. Omar R. Benjamin has further accentuated the location advantage of Oakland port: It is the hinge of Oakland city and many other important trading areas between America and China. As one of the busiest container port, Oakland port has long-term business relationships with LA, Long Beach and California; especially for California. There are 40% of cargoes in California will be transferred through Oakland port. In addition, the volume involved in the cooperation keeps increasing. Meanwhile, Oakland port maintains a good relationship with San Francisco. From the perspective in the western coast area of America, 50% of trading volume between China and America will go through Oakland port.

Mr. Omar R. Benjamin said to reporter: California is developing, the whole western areas of America are developing; in addition, 50% of ports in those areas stimulate the trading increase between America and China, Asia. Consequently, the development of western areas is still one essential element of the trading increase between America and Asia.

To further utilize location advantage and increase port annual throughput, Oakland port is developing its railway network; and also cooperate with inner land port of Sacramento to build up closed connection in order to improve the water depth between the two points. The depth has been increase from 9.1m up to 10.7-12.2m. As a result, it achieves the flawless connection between the two ports.

Invest in green environment construction, and make contributions to the society
As ports keep developing and the throughput maintains to increase, ports are becoming the core of economic development; meanwhile they are becoming the pollution origin of the local areas or somewhere around. As a result, the issue of pollution of ports has received remarkable attention from all over the world.

With the investment from Canada side, Oakland port is further improving the environmental facilities of the port and the neighborhood areas. It helps Oakland port achieve series of projects that accomplish the green environment construction. As a result, the success of Oakland port will stimulate the development of the city; and achieve sustainable development.

By commenting on this issue, Mr. Omar R. Benjamin says:Oakland cannot develop well without the support from the city, so it is very important for us to concern about the long-term benefits of the city. Oakland port has developed the usage of biological diesel oil, rechargeable battery, solar energy and so on. As a result, it reduces air pollution and improves the environment. In addition, the port has made efforts to reduce noise, recycle waste, dispose wastewater and implement some other related projects in order to establish a neat, tidy and beautiful environment.      

Hand-in-hand for International Cooperation
Omar R. Benjamin recalls that Oakland Port has officially signed a friendly agreement with Dalian Port early in 1985 and has kept a friendly and close cooperation for more than 20 years in port constructing, logistical service, mutual visits and information sharing to promote the economic development between two ports and two cities.

Omar R. Benjamin said, The representative of Oakland Port in China--Ms. Kang always keeps dedicating to improving the service and solving clients' problems. We also impose on keeping good relationships with sister cities by cooperating with them, develope cooperating projects with Tianjin and Dalian Port and build up more representative offices in China so that we can lead the market.

On the other hand, Oakland Port has propelled the trade growth between US and China, Asia by developing the waterway construction of Canada and Mexico. Oakland Port is also actively imposing the cooperation with Chinese market, western area and TTI in US so as to solve the problems of railway and waterway in western coast areas.  

Omar R. Benjamin also says that at present, it is 50,50 of export and import between US and China. The major products in our port are agriculture and wine. I think it is fabulous. As the growth and mature of Asian and Chinese economy, I believe we will enjoy the benefits from it for both sides between US and China.

Finally, Omar R. Benjamin emphasizes to the reporter from Shippingchina.com: as I have mentioned before, we are planning to improve our network and service in China, so I hope that we can cooperate, enjoy the mutual benefits and become partner with Shippingchina.com.