The US Port of Oakland announced it saw a 20% increase in its refrigerated export volume in the past year, validating its position as the largest exporter of refrigerated cargo in containers among US ports. The port handled 119,756 TEUs of refrigerated exports from August 2018 through July 2019, which was up from 99,740 in the same period a year ago.
Our business partners are investing to meet increased overseas demand for US farm goods. When you couple their expertise with our infrastructure, it makes a compelling case for running the transportation cold chain through Oakland,
…said Port of Oakland Maritime Director John Driscoll.
The Port said its fastest-growing refrigerated exports were beef and pork products from the US Midwest. Beef exports have increased 45% and pork volume is up 38% in the past year.
The Port attributed its growth in refrigerated cargo to strong consumer demand, increased US farm production and Oakland’s location on the eastern edge of the Pacific Rim.
Oakland is the final stop for Asia-bound container ships leaving the US. That makes it the fastest gateway to Asia, the Port’s primary market, for shippers of perishables.
The Port has taken steps this decade to strengthen its foothold in cold chain logistics including the development of new distribution capability, extension of operating hours to ease delivery of export containers to the Port for overseas shipment, as well as installation of hundreds of additional electrical outlets to plug in refrigerated containers awaiting vessel loading.
The Port of Oakland is considered one of the top gateways for refrigerated agricultural products in the US, mostly due to its location near California’s fertile Central Valley.
Port of Oakland container volume achieved an all-time high in 2018. Specifically, the Port handled the equivalent of 2.55 million 20-foot containers last year, an increase of 5.2% from 2017.
