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Container volume at the Port of Oakland surged in February, surpassing the volume recorded in the same month last year.

Imports experienced a significant increase for the fourth consecutive month, rising by 32.1% to 76,734 TEUs compared to 58,073 TEUs in February 2023. This growth was fueled by robust consumer spending in Northern California, according to the port’s announcement.

Meanwhile, exports also saw a notable uptick, rising by 24.2% to 69,242 TEUs in February 2024, compared to 55,279 TEUs in February 2023. This marks the third consecutive month of export growth and represents the highest monthly total since May 2022.

Overall, combined full TEUs for the first two months of 2024 have increased by 18.1% compared to the same period in 2023.

“The trends we saw in previous months have continued in February. Consumer demand remains strong in Northern California & Rocky Mountain states region for imports and in Asia for the region’s exports. We believe that cargo volume will continue to modestly grow for the rest of the year, reversing some of the declines we saw in 2022 and 2023,” stated Bryan Brandes, maritime director at Port of Oakland.

In February 2024, the Port of Oakland experienced a 9.8% decrease in empty imports, with 13,142 TEUs passing through its facilities compared to 17,299 TEUs in February 2023.

Similarly, empty exports declined by 7.2%, handling 23,633 TEUs in February 2024, in contrast to 38,014 TEUs in February 2023. This marks the seventh consecutive month of decline and suggests a trend of more containers returning to Asia loaded with US goods.

Source: Container News

The port of Oakland’s September container volume remained relatively steady compared with August box throughput reaching 134,186 TEUs, marking a slight 1.2% increase over the same month in 2022.

September’s full exports jumped 9.1% year-on-year to 59,757 TEUs, but full imports inched down 4.3% to 74,428 TEUs. For the same month, Oakland’s empty imports dropped by 22.8% year-on-year to 11,208 TEUs and empty exports shrank by 29.8% to 26,429 TEUs.

“Shipping volumes have declined globally,” said the Californian port in a statement. “In response, shipping rates have declined to very low levels and ocean carriers have begun to alter their schedules, canceling some trans-Pacific vessel sailings.”

However, vessel calls at the port of Oakland continue to increase in 2023, with 744 calls, rising 17% over 2022.

“The Port of Oakland’s current container volume is consistent with the leveling off of global container traffic,” pointed out maritime director of Port of Oakland, Bryan Brandes, who went on to add that  “vessel calls to the Port have increased this year, pointing to a slow and steady recovery from the turmoil of the past couple of years.”

Although container volumes typically spike in the fourth quarter in preparation for the holiday season, the port of Oakland said it has not seen a noticeable increase yet.

“This may be attributable to a combination of high inventory levels, retailers ordering more goods from factories in Mexico and Canada rather than Asia, and/or consumer demand slowing in the Port of Oakland’s main market–Northern California,” explains the US port.

Source: Container News

Federal and state funding is on the way for hydrogen projects at the Port of Oakland. This is because the Biden administration announced on 13 October that California will receive up to US$1.2 billion as a designated hydrogen centre.

“We are grateful to have outstanding federal, state, and local support for our vision to become a zero-emissions seaport,” stated Danny Wan, executive director of the port of Oakland.

He further added, “It takes major investments to finance initiatives like hydrogen projects that will deliver a greener, cleaner environment. We thank the leadership of the Newsom Administration and ARCHES and the funding support from the Department of Energy to advance vital goals that address climate change. This is critically important for our Port, our City, our surrounding communities, and our region.”

California was chosen as one of seven regional hubs throughout the United States that will receive a total of US$7 billion in funding under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law funding.

The funds will be used to expand the domestic market for low-cost, clean hydrogen. These regional centres will manufacture and consume hydrogen, improve air quality, and provide green jobs to California’s workforce.

The Port of Oakland is a partner in the Alliance for Renewable Clean Hydrogen Energy Systems (ARCHES), a statewide public-private partnership that will provide the groundwork for California’s renewable, clean hydrogen hub.

ARCHES coordinated California’s federal hydrogen hub grant application, which included projects at the Port of Oakland.

Meanwhile, the Port of Oakland is building hydrogen fueling stations and replacing cargo handling equipment with zero-emissions hydrogen fuel cell technology. The Port of Oakland’s portion of the grant will be created in collaboration with ARCHES and the Department of Energy during the following months.

The Californian port authorised a bold effort to build a zero-emission seaport in 2019. The Seaport Air Quality 2020 and Beyond Plan lays out the strategy and procedures for transitioning from a fossil-fuel-based seaport to decarbonized goods transportation port operations.

Source: Container News

Container volume at the Port of Oakland fell in August compared to the same month last year with the Californian port handling 135,253 TEUs, down 13.1% year-on-year.

“However, the robust volume in August 2022 draws an unrealistic comparison to this August’s numbers,” noted the US port.

Vessel calls have continued to grow throughout 2023, reporting 650 vessel calls through the end of August, rising 13% over the number of vessel calls in August 2022.

Port of Oakland’s official said, “This indicates that port operations are running smoothly, boasting better on-time performance of ships, and less congestion at docks and at inland warehouses.”

“While August’s container volumes might not be where we want them to be, there are indicators that point to a bright future for the seaport,” said Port of Oakland Maritime Director Bryan Brandes, adding, “Improved port operations, coupled with our on-going investment in greening the port, will provide on-going benefits to importers and exporters.”

In more detail, full imports in August dropped by 17.5% with 72,481 TEUs, while full exports shrunk by 7.5% with 62,733 TEUs. Empty imports were down by 11.1%, moving 13,329 TEUs in August 2023, while empty exports declined 29.6%, registering 30,579 TEUs.

Exports have slumped, pointing to the continued decline in the export of wastepaper and recyclable materials for processing. However, there is optimism that agricultural exports will pick up.

According to the announcement, vessels are running on schedule and unloading and loading cargo with little disruption, which are favorable conditions, especially for exporters.

Source: Container News

Port of Oakland reported another slow month for cargo traffic moving 153,837 TEUs in February, translating to a decline of 20.9% compared to the same month last year.

According to the statement, domestic inventories stay high, as retail sales dropped in February, reducing cargo numbers at US West Coast ports. A strong dollar is also impeding export volumes. When retail regains its footing, the Port of Oakland wants to be ready to transport cargo effectively.

Full imports dropped 32% in February 2023, with 58,073 TEUs moving through the Port compared to 85,286 TEUs the previous month.

One cause of the low traffic is that West Coast ports are losing market share to ports on America’s East and Gulf Coasts.

Full exports fell 10.6% in February, with the port processing 55,741 TEUs compared to 62,334 TEUs in February 2022. Exports have been declining since 2020. Tariffs placed by the United States and China, as well as China’s limitations on recycled materials, which are Oakland’s biggest product, sparked the decline.

Exports continued to fall during the epidemic due to product supply chain delays and a shortage of empty vessels.

Source: Container News

The Port of Oakland’s total loaded container volume dropped by 8% in August compared to the same month last year with 155,682 loaded TEUs.

Loaded imports declined by 10.2% recording 87,844 TEUs last month and loaded export containers experienced a 5.5% decline with 67,838 TEUs passing through the port in August.

In addition, full imports of the port of Oakland in 2022 year-to-date were down by 5% compared to the first eight months of 2021.

“We’re beginning to see signs of supply chain recovery after multi-year pandemic-related congestion, but we still have a way to go,” said Port of Oakland Maritime Director, Bryan Brandes, who went on to add, “We will continue working with our industry partners to boost cargo fluidity and vessel service.”

Freight rates for cargo shipped from Asia to the United States continue to drop pointing to a softening in demand for imports, according to the Californian port, which noted that continued congestion at box yards may still be a factor in ship delays at the Oakland Seaport, with most docked vessels staying two or more days.

Source: Container News

Port of Oakland has announced that its marine terminals have resumed operations since Saturday, 23 July, after several days of disruption by truck drivers protesting the worker law AB5.

“The Port of Oakland has resumed full operations,” confirmed port executive director, Danny Wan, who noted, “We appreciate the independent truck drivers’ use of the designated Free Speech Zones and we thank local law enforcement for their continued assistance.”

Wan added, “The truckers have been heard and we now urge them to voice their grievances with lawmakers, not the Port of Oakland.”

City of Oakland, regional and state law enforcement are continuing to monitor and implement measures to keep traffic flowing, according to the port statement.

The Californian port said that last week’s protests have prevented the flow of international commerce including medical supplies, agricultural products, auto and technology parts, livestock, and manufacturing parts.

Source: Container News