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For Immediate Release
January 30, 2004
Oakland, Calif. (January 30, 2004) - The Port of Oakland handled a record 1.92 million Twenty-Foot Equivalent Units (TEUs) in calendar year 2003, an increase of 12.6% over 2002. Imports rose 9.4% to 598,611 TEUs while exports demonstrated a significant rebound increasing 9.3% to 800,539 TEUs.
"The U.S. and global economic recovery has certainly stimulated the growth in our container volume," said Jerry Bridges, Director of Maritime for the Port of Oakland. "The increases in import traffic was expected given the shifts we have seen in manufacturing over to Asia. However, export volumes at the Port recovered in 2003 after two consecutive years of decline - paralleling the economic improvements we have seen in Asia."
"We continue to capitalize on the increased container capacity and capability derived from the completion of our Vision 2000 maritime expansion program in late 2002. The Port of Oakland will continue to capture new business by providing greater rail access for shippers - the newest near-dock rail facility operated as Oakland international Gateway by Burlington Northern and Santa Fe Railway and the state-of-the-art Union Pacific near-dock rail facility. All these improvements, along with our on-going -50 ft dredging program, will pave the way for sustained growth at the Port of Oakland," Bridges stated.
The Port of Oakland's Executive Director, Tay Yoshitani, expects that more growth in global trade will continue to enhance business at the Oakland seaport, "We anticipate handling substantially more containers in 2004, given the forecast for continued global economic improvement," Yoshitani said. "However, it will take time for us and all ports around the country to recover from the economic downturn over the last few years. The Port of Oakland made a major investment in funding the expansion of the seaport for the benefit of our region and because of our responsibility as an international gateway. We remain committed to continuing to invest in our future with the -50 ft harbor deepening project and other maritime improvements," Yoshitani added.
The Port of Oakland was established in 1927 as an independent department of the City of Oakland. The Port of Oakland oversees Oakland International Airport, the Oakland seaport and 19 miles of waterfront. The Oakland seaport handled over 1.9 million TEUs in 2003 and is the 4th busiest containerport in the U.S. Some 32 ocean carriers provide service into and out of Oakland. The seaport consists of 10 major marine terminals, two near-dock rail facilities and approximately 900 acres of marine and rail terminals.
Contact:
Marilyn Sandifur
Manager, Media and Public Relations
(510) 627-1193
msandifur@portoakland.com |
