The Port of Oakland handled 173,818 twenty foot equivalent units (TEUs) in August, with full export volume rising 2.9% from July, although overall loaded-container traffic remained below the prior-year level.
Combined loaded imports and exports totaled 131,666 TEUs during the month, down 9% from August 2025. Empty-container traffic, frequently an indicator of future imports, reached 42,152 TEUs, a year-over-year decline of 11.4%, while vessel calls fell to 82 from 90 a year earlier.
Year-to-date picture
For the first eight months of the year, Oakland’s loaded cargo volume was down 2.5% from the same period in 2025. Full import volume declined 4.6%, partly offset by a 0.2% increase in full exports. Empty-container movements were down 11.4% year to date.
The August export gain from July indicates some month-to-month improvement for a gateway that relies heavily on agricultural and other export cargoes. But the year-over-year volume decline points up continuing pressure on the broader import-export market, particularly for second-tier West Coast hubs that have seen carriers concentrate services at LA-Long Beach, and shift some vessel rotations to Canada.
Acting Maritime Director Jason Garben said loaded volumes have been relatively stable so far this year, with export traffic running slightly ahead of the 2025 pace.
The port plans to work more closely with ocean carriers, shippers and terminal partners to identify new cargo opportunities and attract customers to the Oakland gateway, according to the port.
Read more articles by Stuart Chirls here.
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