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Oakland's box volume up 2pc despite receiving fewer ships

PORT of Oakland announced that in the first seven months of the year it received 954 containership visits, a reduction of 7.6 per cent from 1,032 visits received during the same period last year. If the trend continues, vessel calls for the full year are expected to total 1,650, 100 less than in 2016.

"This is a good trend," maritime director John Driscoll was quoted as saying in a report by AJOT. "Our cargo volume is up but with fewer ships, we reduce diesel emissions and ease berth crowding."

Port authorities said 100 fewer ship calls should result in lower diesel particulate emissions in Oakland. With less vessel traffic, there's little need for ships to idle in San Francisco Bay waiting for berths at marine terminals.

Vessel calls in Oakland have fallen by 15 per cent since 2007, the port said. The low point was 2015 when 1,433 ships visited.

Despite fewer vessel calls, the port said loaded container volume rose two per cent in 2017. If that pace holds, Oakland could set a cargo record for the second consecutive year.

The port said the phenomenon of more cargo but fewer ships reflects that shipping lines are consolidating container volumes to cut costs. With fewer voyages, carriers cut fuel and other operating expenses.

One by-product of larger ships: they're loading and unloading 11 per cent more containers per visit, the port said. That challenges marine terminals and harbour truckers attempting to quickly deliver customers' cargo. It was noted, however, that terminals have overcome the challenge through longer hours of operation and trucker appointments.