Port of Oakland April container volume continues growth trend

The Port of Oakland April container volume showed a 17% increase in full TEUs (twenty-foot containers) for the first four months of 2024 compared to the same period in 2023. This reflects Oakland’s return to its historical average cargo volumes, rebounding from 2022 and 2023 declines.

Full imports rose year-over-year for the sixth consecutive month (November 2023 - April 2024). The Port posted a 7.5% uptick in loaded imports in April 2024, handling 75,335 TEUs this April, versus 70,112 TEUs in April 2023.

Full exports also increased 6.9% in April 2024. Port operators managed 67,566 TEUs this April, in contrast to 63,193 TEUs in April 2023. Greater schedule reliability for vessels is bringing back agricultural shippers that rely on predictable ship departures.

“It’s encouraging to see Oakland recover cargo volume as we focus on long term growth,” said Port of Oakland Maritime Director Bryan Brandes. “Our investments in upgrading Port infrastructure are paying off, and they position us ideally to capture future freight business with increasing demand.”

The Bay Area consumer market for imports remains healthy, bolstering the Port of Oakland’s maritime business. In addition, the volume of imported goods is returning to normal levels as cargo diverted during the pandemic returns to the Oakland Seaport.

Empty imports dropped 0.4% transiting 16,357 TEUs in April 2024, versus 16,423 TEUs in April 2023. Empty exports jumped 18.7%, handling 29,375 TEUs in April 2024, versus 24,754 TEUs in April 2023.