Breaking its record for the fifth year in a row, the Port of Stockton handled 4.5 million metric tons of cargo in 2019, a direct result of its management’s agility to adapt to an ever-changing global market and prudent handling of its financial resources.
The port is located in the middle of California’s Central Valley and has easy access to two major freeways. The Port of Stockton is also served by Union Pacific Railroad and BNSF Railway, two of the largest freight-hauling railway services in the United States. Because of its location and connectivity, the port is among the favorites for handling dedicated bulk and break-bulk shipments, such as raw materials, steel, cement, animal feeds and fertilizer.
“We have a lot of local ties to businesses here in Northern California, particularly with farmers and processors. We’re seeing our growth inherent in a strong economy right now,” said Port of Stockton Marketing Manager Pete Grossgart.
Over the past several years, the port has focused on diversifying the commodities that it handles based on market demand. Japan has received about two-thirds of the port’s exports of bagged rice, bulk beet pellets, tire chips and coal. As Japan moves toward environmental sustainability, the port has managed to compensate for the decline in coal shipments with renewable fuels.
“Renewables, such as biomass and wood pellets, are opportunities where we see a big market and we want to be in front of it. We want everyone to know that we are open for business,” Grossgart said.
Recognizing the importance of maintaining its relationships with the Japanese market, the Port of Stockton’s management organizes working visits to Asia every other year.
“We appreciate the continued support. We really do appreciate every ounce of cargo that comes across our docks. We are very proud to be trusted by our Japanese customers with their cargo and we hope to never let them down and disappoint them,” Grossgart added.
