By Karen Robes Meeks
This week, the Port of Oakland announced a new vessel service that will provide a direct link between Oakland and the Middle East for the first time.
Japan’s ONE line has started operating Far East-Pacific 2, a new weekly service with 18 mega vessels connecting Oakland to Asia and Saudi Arabia.
The ONE Aquila, the first vessel under this new service, was expected to be in Oakland this week at Oakland International Container Terminal.
“Naturally we’re encouraged by this development,” said Port of Oakland Maritime Director John Driscoll. “The size of the ships means extra cargo capacity coming to Oakland and the Port rotation extends Oakland’s reach in global markets.”
The Far East-Pacific 2 service encompasses nine ports in Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam, Japan, Hong Kong, China, the US and Saudi Arabia.
