The Port of Oakland announced that it will add new, directive service to Vietnam by late April. Pacific International Lines (PIL) will launch direct Vietnam links using vessels that can carry up to 11,900 twenty-foot containers. PIL’s new service is called AC5 and is in partnership with Cosco and Wan Hai.
Specifically, the service between New Vietnam and US West Coast will be: Haiphong, Vietnam loop – Haiphong, Nansha, Hong Kong, Yantian, Long Beach, Oakland, Yantian, Haiphong (AC5).
In light of the new service line, Port of Oakland Maritime Director John Driscoll stated
PIL’s new direct service from the Port of Oakland is a good sign of increasing demand on Vietnam routes. Vietnam is showing strong growth in its import and export markets.
In the meantime, during 2018, Vietnam was the third largest import market and the fifth largest export market for the Port.
American exports to Vietnam have increased by 126% since 2015. Whereas, Oakland imports from Vietnam rose by 29% in 2015.
The new PIL service route between the Port of Oakland and Vietnam is in response to Vietnam’s expanding import and export markets.