Port of Oakland cargo volumes were down in December as well as 2022 as a whole when compared to the year prior, according to data released by the port Jan. 17.
Overall cargo last month fell 8.1% year over year with 123,868 loaded TEUs. Full imports tumbled 17.1% year over year with 65,566 TEUs while full exports were up 4.6% with 58,302 TEUs from December 2021, port data show.
For 2022, the Northern California seaport moved 2.3 million TEUs, an estimated 4% drop from 2021. High domestic inventory from softened consumer demand and declining freight rates are affecting cargo numbers, the port said.
Meanwhile, imported and exported empty containers jumped 10.8% and 15.2% respectively year over year, which continues to help alleviate port congestion and improve cargo flow, the port said.
“The variation in cargo volumes and the relocation of containers is to be expected as the economy emerges from the COVID-19 pandemic,” Port Maritime Director Bryan Brandes said. “The return of empty containers to Asia is a positive step to avoid future port congestion.”
