West Coast trucking giant buoyed by Port of Oakland breakthrough

A top West Coast trucking company expects record business volume in 2021 thanks to a Port of Oakland breakthrough. Oakland-based GSC Logistics today forecast a 25 percent jump in the number of cargo containers it transports for customers. The freight hauler staked its bullish outlook on the changing supply chain routing dynamics that led to introduction of an Oakland first-call service this month.

“First-call status demonstrates the market is viewing the Port of Oakland more strategically which will attract increased cargo volumes,” said GSC Logistics President Dave Arsenault. “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.”

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.

According to the trucking company, shipping lines are redirecting cargo to Oakland from congested Southern California ports. Highlighting the trend, French shipping line CMA launched a first-call Oakland service Feb. 12.  Ships in the weekly service will make Oakland their first U.S. stop upon arrival from Asia.

That’s welcome news for GSC Logistics. First ports of call are the discharge point for most imports shipped from Asian factories. GSC Logistics specializes in trucking containerized imports to retailers, distributors and manufacturers.  

CMA’s new route becomes Oakland’s only first-call service in more than a decade with strong speculation others will follow. GSC Logistics, which contracts with more than 200 Northern California truck drivers, said it’s prepared for the added volume.  

Vessels in CMA’s new service will stop in Seattle before returning to Asia. GSC Logistics is already the fastest growing motor carrier in the PNW and anticipates transporting some of that cargo, as well. The company contracts with over 75 drivers in the Pacific Northwest.