The Oakland-based logistics services provider GSC Logistics will take further steps to accelerate its growth plans to meet the cargo surge and manage the import onslaught in the US West Coast.
The largest freight haulier at Oakland said it is adding everything, from people and drivers to real estate and chassis equipment, as containerised cargo volume surges. The trucking company’s latest expansion was doubling its headquarters office footprint this month at the Port of Oakland.
“Cargo is flooding ports up and down the West Coast and we have got to grow if we are going to deliver it efficiently to our customers,” said GSC President, Dave Arsenault, who added, “The opportunity is great, but so is the challenge because there is no sign of a letup in trade flows.”
Since summer, GSC Logistics has taken the following measures to cope with record-setting import volume coming from Asia.
- Grew its full-time staff from 80 to 180 people, which necessitated the lease of more headquarters office space.
- Created over 400 jobs in West Oakland.
- Increased the number of truckers hauling cargo by 20% in Northern California and 15% in the Pacific Northwest.
- Boosted chassis fleet to over 1,000 pieces of long-term lease equipment in Oakland.
- Leased additional acreage in the Northern California market on behalf of clients to support cargo flow.
“A pressing need now is for more truck drivers,” noted the company.
GSC Logistics’s expansion reflects the unprecedented US – Asia soaring trade volume. According to GSC Logistics, the Asian manufacturers are jamming West Coast ports with everything from appliances to assembly line components and this has resulted in historic levels of congestion at seaports that struggle to move cargo to final destinations.
Meanwhile, the firm expects to make good on a forecast of 25% volume growth in 2021.
