Shippers sourcing their goods out the Port of Oakland’s largest marine terminal will soon need to make an appointment with drayage providers before their cargo is released.

Oakland International Container Terminal (OICT) said it’s making appointments mandatory for most containerized import pick-ups beginning June 6. It means harbor truckers usually won’t be able to drive off loaded boxes without a reservation. The terminal said its goal is to shorten lines at terminal gates while speeding up cargo delivery to customers.

Mandatory import reservations will be an extension of the terminal’s existing appointment system, OICT said. The terminal said it won’t require appointments for other transactions such as empty container return.

More at Logistics Management