In the new weekly Golden Gate Bridge service, Oakland will become the first US stop for ships. The shipping route ties China's Shanghai, Yantian and Kaohsiung ports to Oakland.

Ships in operation will travel directly to the Port of Oakland from Asia and then call Seattle before going back to China. It has been more than a decade since Oakland equipped US importers with a first-call service.

First-call service is expected to boost Oakland's rail freight shipments, the Port said.

Imports bound for inland destinations such as Chicago or Memphis are usually discharged and transported by rail on the West Coast. First-call service is important because of the additional travel time for rail, and the Port of Oakland has sufficient rail capacity for inland freight.

The first-call service from Oakland is a response to the substantial growth of e-commerce in US distributors locating depots near the port to meet online shippers in western states, and the Golden Gate Bridge service will offer great value to online distributors as their cargo can be discharged at the first US stop of a ship.

Oakland Seaport, Oakland International Airport, and nearly 20 miles of coastline, including Jack London Square, are supervised by the Port of Oakland.

Maritime Business World