Port of Oakland makes “insufficient” gains to overturn past downtick

The Port of Oakland has witnessed a rise in full imports and exports compared to both last month and October 2021 volumes.

The port handled 145,868 TEU last month compared to 137,776 TEU in October 2021, a 5.9 per cent year-on-year growth.

Full exports jumped 4.8 per cent, recording 66,408 TEU in October 2022 compared to 63,338 TEU in October 2021.

Full imports were up 6.7 per cent over October 2021 volume and rose 2 per cent compared to September 2022 volume, totalling 79,459 TEU versus 74,438 TEU in October 2021 and 77,803 TEU in September 2022.

Loaded exports rose 21 per cent from September 2022, with 62,203 TEU coming through the seaport.

READ: Port of Oakland posts September loss

“Although we anticipate that overall cargo will decline on the West Coast in the coming months, the recent uptick in volume at Oakland is welcome news, especially on the export side,” said the port’s Maritime Director, Bryan Brandes.

“The Port of Oakland remains committed to working with stakeholders to improve port operations and restore sailings.”

The port authority added that October’s gains will still prove insufficient to reverse the declines from earlier this year, as freight rates continue to drop, and American retailers report higher than normal inventories diminishing the demand for imports.

The Port of Oakland shut its terminals as clerks represented by International Longshore and Warehouse Union (ILWU) staged a walkout on 2 November.

Local media reported that a spokesperson for ILWU denied the walkouts were an official action of the union despite stalled negotiations with the Pacific Maritime Association (PMA).