The Port of Oakland is on track to record its second-fewest container ship visits in a decade, according to new data from the US West Coast port.
The Port of Oakland maritime director John Driscoll said this wasn’t a negative, though, with the port seeing an increase in cargo.
“Our cargo volume is up but with fewer ships, we reduce diesel emissions and ease berth crowding,” he said in a statement released 17 August.
During July, 954 container ships visited Oakland, down 7.6 per cent on the same month last year, and if the trend continues, it could result in 100 fewer ships visiting Oakland in 2017 compared to 2016.
Loaded container volume, however, was up 2 per cent so far this year. If that trend continues, Oakland would reach a new cargo record for the second year in a row.
The port said this was indicative of a broader trend in the industry, with shipping lines continuing to consolidate volumes and share services to reduce fuel use and operating expenses. The port is also seeing larger, newer vessels call in, which can unload around 11 per cent more containers per visit, according to the Port of Oakland.
