The Port of Oakland handled 163,254 TEUs in February 2026, a 14.5% decrease year-on-year and a 16.7% decline from January, as vessel activity contracted due to planned blank sailings tied to Lunar New Year factory closures in Asia.
Vessel calls fell from 86 in January to 72 in February, reflecting carriers’ pre-scheduled capacity adjustments aligned with the seasonal reduction in demand.
Despite the overall volume decline, export performance provided a measure of resilience. Export TEUs totalled 86,796, outpacing import TEUs of 76,458 and reinforcing Oakland’s structural role as a primary gateway for US agricultural and refrigerated commodities.
Export volumes declined 9.5% year-on-year, a considerably more moderate contraction than imports, which fell 19.6% as reduced vessel capacity constrained inbound cargo flows.
Loaded containers accounted for 130,192 TEUs of total volume, with empty containers reaching 33,062 TEUs.
The predominance of loaded cargo relative to empties indicates that underlying goods demand remained firm through the period despite the scheduling disruptions.
Bryan Brandes, Maritime Director at the Port of Oakland, attributed February’s performance primarily to seasonal vessel scheduling dynamics and highlighted the comparative strength of the port’s export business as evidence of its enduring role in refrigerated and agricultural trade.
On a year-to-date basis, loaded containers represent approximately 78% of total TEUs, with exports accounting for around 51% of overall volume, underscoring the port’s export-oriented character and its importance to Northern California’s agricultural and logistics sectors.
The port expects vessel schedules to normalise as the post-Lunar New Year period progresses.
