The Port of Oakland overall import and export volumes were lower in November compared to the previous month, reporting 132,648 TEU compared to 142,255 TEU in October, signifying a 6.8 per cent reduction.
According to the Port of Oakland, full imports rose 3.8 per cent over November 2022 volume, with 71,258 TEU passing through port facilities this November compared to 68,646 TEU in November 2022.
Full exports, on the other hand, fell 3 per cent in November 2023, with port operators handling 61,390 TEU compared 63,283 TEU in November 2022.
Empty imports fell by 0.6 per cent, with 14,118 TEU flowing through the port in November 2022, compared to 14,197 TEU in November 2022.
Empty exports fell by 49 per cent this November, with 19,613 TEU passing through the port, compared to 38,481 TEU in November 2022.
READ: Port of Oakland container volumes remain stable in September
Port of Oakland Maritime Director, Bryan Brandes, said: “We saw some cancelled sailings in November as evidenced by the dip in vessel calls last month. This caused our volumes to drop.”
Overall import levels remain at 70,000 TEU per month, having fallen from the pandemic’s extraordinary highs.
Export volumes have stabilised around 60,000 TEU per month in 2023, aided by improved container ship on-time performance.
READ: Port of Oakland flourishes with container export volume rising in October
This year the port did not see the usual spike in import cargo volumes during late summer and the fall.
Brandes added: “Consumers continue to spend, and our local economy is growing, so the lack of an upswing in cargo volume is likely because retailers are working though excess inventory.
“Meanwhile, we’ve been investing and implementing projects that will improve the efficiency of our maritime operations. This puts us in an excellent position to handle more cargo.”
