Port of Oakland Sees Consecutive Months of Cargo Growth

The Port of Oakland headquarters building. File photo by Mark Nero.

The Port of Oakland has seen an uptick in overall cargo volumes in the last two months, a trend that the Northern California seaport said it hopes continues into the year.

According to data released by the port May 26, Oakland moved 174,482 TEUs in April, about 7,000 containers more than the previous month.

“Given the increase we’ve seen in business over the last couple of months, we are optimistic about a stronger second half of 2023 for the amount of cargo moving through Oakland.” Port of Oakland Maritime Director Bryan Brandes said. “We also anticipate increasing the number of ocean carrier services offered at the Port of Oakland in the coming months.”

It’s a bright spot in Oakland as it and other seaports continue to see the effects of softer consumer demand post-pandemic on its year-over-year numbers. Last month, the port saw loaded TEUs fall 11.2% to 133,333 TEUs from April 2022, with loaded imports down 16.8% to 70,140 TEUs and loaded exports dipping 3.9%, with 63,193 TEUs year over year.

Meanwhile, empty exports were up 21.6% with 24,754 TEUs last month. Empty imports fell 8.9% to 16,395 TEUs, according to Oakland.

By Karen Robes Meeks