The decision by French ocean carrier CMA CGM to make the Port of Oakland its first port of call in a new service from Asia is a reflection of importers and exporters developing new markets closer to their customers: “First-call status demonstrates the market is viewing the Port of Oakland more strategically which will attract increased cargo volumes,” says GSC Logistics Harbor Trucking President Dave Arsenault.
CMA CGM First Port Of Call
In an interview, Arsenault who took over as GSC president in January, told AJOT: “We’re already hearing from customers who are requesting to expand our existing partnerships in order to accommodate increased cargo volumes scheduled to arrive on those ships.”
Arsenault spent more than a decade with Charlotte, NC-based Sea-Land Service and also served as president and chief executive officer of Hyundai Merchant Marine (America).
GSC Logistics said it transported an all-time record number of containers last year from ports in Oakland, Seattle and Tacoma. It anticipates significant growth in 2021, indicating that trade dynamics favor its home market in Northern California.