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.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
Year-to-date picture<\/p>\n
For the first eight months of the year, Oakland\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n
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.\u00a0<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
Read more articles by Stuart Chirls\u00a0here.<\/a><\/p>\n Read more:<\/p>\n Ocean rates highest in a year amid US-China trade truce<\/a><\/p>\n ONE restructures in key ocean region<\/a><\/p>\n Port Houston container volumes edge higher as steel imports surge 54%\u00a0<\/a><\/p>\n Flexport launches MCP Server for AI agents to book freight<\/a><\/p>\n New limits: More ships can transit this key cargo chokepoint<\/a><\/p>\n Upcoming FreightWaves Events<\/p>\n Compliance<\/p>\n Brokerage Compliance Symposium<\/p>\n The day before F3. Every compliance issue you face – fraud exposure, carrier liability, FMCSA rules, cargo theft, insurance gaps – navigated by attorneys and operators defining best practices in a changing industry.<\/p>\n October 26, 2026<\/p>\n The Signal at Chattanooga Choo Choo \u2022 Chattanooga, TN<\/p>\n Register Now<\/a><\/p>\n Awards<\/p>\n F3 Awards Dinner<\/p>\n The night before F3. FreightTech100 companies honored. FreightTech 25 and Shipper of Choice winners revealed live. Cocktail reception into dinner and live music – 300 industry leaders in one purpose-built room.<\/p>\n October 26, 2026<\/p>\n The Signal at Chattanooga Choo Choo \u2022 Chattanooga, TN<\/p>\n Register Now<\/a><\/p>\n FreightTech<\/p>\n F3: Future of Freight Festival<\/p>\n Industry-defining keynotes, rapid-fire technology demos, and industry leaders networking in experiences across Chattanooga – plus the inaugural F3 Awards Dinner featuring the FreightTech and Shipper of Choice reveals.<\/p>\n October 27, 2026 \u2013 October 28, 2026<\/p>\n The Signal at Chattanooga Choo Choo \u2022 Chattanooga, TN<\/p>\n Register Now<\/a><\/p>\n \n Compliance The day before F3. Every compliance issue you face – fraud exposure, carrier liability, FMCSA rules, cargo theft, insurance gaps – navigated by attorneys and operators defining best practices in a changing industry.<\/p>\n The Signal at Chattanooga Choo Choo \u2022 Chattanooga, TN \n Awards The night before F3. FreightTech100 companies honored. FreightTech 25 and Shipper of Choice winners revealed live. Cocktail reception into dinner and live music – 300 industry leaders in one purpose-built room.<\/p>\n The Signal at Chattanooga Choo Choo \u2022 Chattanooga, TN \n FreightTech Industry-defining keynotes, rapid-fire technology demos, and industry leaders networking in experiences across Chattanooga – plus the inaugural F3 Awards Dinner featuring the FreightTech and Shipper of Choice reveals.<\/p>\n
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\n Oct 27 \u2013 Oct 28 \u2022 The Signal at Chattanooga Choo Choo \u2022 Chattanooga, TN\n <\/p>\n