Port of Oakland July container volume on the rise 

The Port of Oakland’s loaded container volume climbed to its highest level since October 2022.

Full TEUs (twenty-foot containers) grew 16.8% in July 2023 with the Port handling 136,181 TEUs compared to 116,629 TEUs in July 2022.

Full imports rose 12.5%, with 78,122 TEUs transiting Oakland marine terminals, versus 69,463 TEUs in July 2022. Full exports jumped by 23.1%, with 58,059 TEUs traversing Port facilities, compared to 47,166 TEUs in July 2022.

Although exports showed a sizable increase compared to the same period last year, July 2022 container volumes were abnormally low. Despite the spike in exports, July 2023 volume is lower than the 2023 monthly average year-to-date.

Vessel calls are continuing their upward trajectory and the length of time each ship spends at berth has decreased, suggesting that cargo is flowing more smoothly, and that pandemic-era congestion is behind us. This should help the Port capture a chunk of the increase in demand.

“We are encouraged to see container volumes gradually rebounding,” said Port of Oakland Maritime Director Bryan Brandes. “The Port is making great investments at the Oakland Seaport to foster growth which ultimately benefits the local economy and helps power local jobs.”

Empty imports increased 16.5% or 14,196 TEUs in July 2023, compared to 12,185 TEUs in July 2022, while empty exports declined 1.2%, registering 31,179 TEUs in July 2023, down from 31,542 TEUs in July 2022.