The Port of Oakland handled a total of 194,388 TEU in February, representing an increase of 2% over the same month of the previous year.
Full imports totalled 85,286 TEU, which translates to a rise of 6.3% year-on-year. According to the port, this increase is mainly driven by continued US consumer demand for goods that are being manufactured overseas.
So far in 2022, imports have accounted for 58% of Oakland’s loaded cargo volume, which is the highest import ratio in decades, according to port officials.
“We’re gratified by the strength of the import business moving through Oakland,” commented Port of Oakland maritime director Bryan Brandes about the imports.
Furthermore, the US port said that its terminals “are busier than ever,” while they are unloading an average of 2,809 containers on each boxship at berth, which is slightly ahead of last year’s record pace of 2,497 boxes per ship.
Full exports, however, continue to decline, representing a drop of 10.3% in February compared to the same month of 2021, to 62,334 TEU.
The port is waiting to see results from recent measures implemented to stimulate exports, such as restoring vessel services, attracting new vessel services, and teaming with the federal government to create a depot where containers will be readily available for exports.
During the first two months of 2022, the US West Coast port has handled 387,593 TEU, which translates to a marginal decline of 0.5% year-on-year.
At the same time, full imports rose by 7.3% year-on-year and amounted to 169,146 TEU, while full exports dropped 10.6% to 124,038 TEU, according to the port’s data.
