Port of Oakland officials said today they expect little difficulty when Japan’s newly merged shipping line arrives next month. The Port predicted normal operations as container carriers MOL, NYK and K Line consolidate under a new flag.
The three Japanese ocean carriers merged in 2017 to form a new company, Ocean Network Express, known as ONE. They’ll combine operations April 1 with the first ship scheduled to arrive in Oakland a week later. ONE would be the world’s sixth-largest container shipping line when it begins joint operations with 240 vessels.
The Japanese shipping lines currently visit Oakland with eight weekly vessel services. That number isn’t expected to change as they become ONE, the Port said. Japanese ships will continue to tie up at Oakland’s largest marine terminals: TraPac or Oakland International Container Terminal.
“Everyone affected with this merger – the shipping lines, marine terminals, cargo owners, other Port stakeholders – has been gearing up for it since last year,” said Port of Oakland Maritime Director John Driscoll. “There may be unforeseen challenges but we are confident they will be promptly addressed and no operational disruptions in Oakland are expected.”
Japan is one of Oakland’s leading trading partners. It’s the Port’s largest market for agricultural exports.
Source: Port of Oakland