Export Rally Continues at Port of Oakland

Californian Port of Oakland said that November was the third straight month of double-digit growth of export container volumes, with exports having risen for the 10th time this year. 

Containerized export volume increased 11.5 percent in November from the same period last year, the port said.

The port added that exports are surging despite a strengthening dollar that makes American products more expensive overseas.

“If you listen to conventional wisdom, exports should be facing headwinds. But the clamor overseas for high-quality American commodities hasn’t peaked, so our volumes keep climbing,” John Driscoll, Port of Oakland’s Maritime Director, said.

The Port of Oakland said it shipped the equivalent of 85,915 TEU export containers last month. That was the second-highest total of 2016.

Through 11 months of 2016, Oakland export volumes went up 10.3 percent and containerized imports rose 4.5 percent.

Total loaded container volumes have increased 7.4 percent, according to the port.

Exports have accounted for 52 percent of Oakland’s loaded cargo volume in 2016 and imports for the other 48 percent.