Oakland Port Uncertain on Shipping Outlook

Uncertainty clouds the peak season container shipping outlook with more threatened tariffs on Chinese imports to the U.S. looming, said the Port of Oakland.

However, the container ship facility located in Oakland, California, in the San Francisco Bay, added that here’s no uncertainty about handling the annual August-November cargo rush.

“The Port is operating efficiently, ships are getting in-and-out on time and cargo is moving without delay,” said Maritime Director John Driscoll.  “We don’t see that changing in the coming months.”

The Port said it wouldn’t project volume for shipping’s traditional highwater mark when imports increase to support holiday merchandising.  It advised, however, that Oakland marine terminals where ships load and unload are reporting uninterrupted operations.  It added that it expected cargo to continue flowing unfettered through the peak season.

West Coast peak season containerized import growth is likely to be 1-to-3 percent, trade analysts say.  That’s modest compared to big jumps last peak season when importers front-loaded against expected tariffs.  The wildcard is a new round of tariffs proposed by the Trump Administration that could take effect next month.

Regardless of trade dynamics, Oakland says it’s ready for peak season, it said.