Japanese shipping giant Ocean Network Express (ONE) is restoring a key Asia-U.S., trade route at the Port of Oakland, the port announced in mid-October. ONE, the world’s sixth-largest container carrier, is bringing its PS5 service back to Oakland Nov. 13.
The service, which connects the U.S. West Coast with ports in Tokyo and China, had been discontinued in 2019. ONE has said that it’s reinstating the service to help meet the rising demand in Japan for meat products.
The updated service’s route will be as follows: Shanghai, Ningbo, Los Angeles, Oakland, Tokyo and Shanghai.
The port said resumption of the weekly route would aid U.S. meat exporters facing soaring demand in Japan, and should also help Chinese manufacturers exporting from the Shanghai and Ningbo ports, according to Oakland. Shippers on both sides of the Pacific have contended with critical vessel space shortages in 2021.
“This is an important service for our import and export customers,” Port of Oakland Maritime Director Bryan Brandes said. “And it’s a further sign of the importance that our industry partners place on Oakland.”
The PS5 is the latest in a series of 2021 Asia service acquisitions at the port that include CMA-CGM’s Golden Gate Bridge service; Wan Hai’s AA5 service; Matson’s CCX service; and MSC’s Sentosa service.
New services are a response to demand spurred by Northern California’s growing economy, Port of Oakland officials say, as well as a means to avoid congested Southern California ports.