Typical Q4 spike in box volumes yet to be seen in Oakland

26/10/2023

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