Port of Oakland passes milestone, sets all-time cargo record

Oakland, Calif. – May 13, 2021 – Another month, another record at the Port of Oakland. The Port said today that it handled the equivalent of 100,096 20-foot import containers last month. It was the most for a single month in the Port’s 94-year history. It marked the first time that Oakland has passed the 100,000-box milestone for imports in a month.

“We’re sounding like a broken record, but containerized trade continues to flourish as the U.S. economy rebounds,” said Port Maritime Director Bryan Brandes. “And as we’ve said before, there doesn’t seem to be a letup in sight.”

Oakland said April import volume increased 25 percent from the same month a year ago. It was the third consecutive month of import gains, and the second straight record month, the Port said. According to the Port, import volume year-to-date has increased 19 percent.

The Port said consumer spending continues to drive trade growth. To meet demand, U.S. retailers and e-commerce distributors are importing goods from Asian manufacturers at unprecedented levels. Asia is Oakland’s No. 1 trade partner.

Oakland said its April export volume decreased 3.7 percent from a year ago. According to the Port, empty containers may have been to blame. Here’s why:

• Asian manufacturers needed empty boxes to transport record U.S. imports.
• Shipping lines sent large numbers of empties from the U.S. to Asia to meet demand.
• Empties leaving the U.S. took vessel space from U.S exports intended for Asian markets.

The Port said its total volume in April – imports, exports and empty containers – increased 8 percent from April 2020.