Container traffic at the Port of Oakland took a slight downturn in November, with the port processing fewer containers than in October. The latest figures show a 6.8% decrease in total container volume from the previous month, as full imports and exports combined to reach 132,648 TEUs (twenty-foot equivalent units), according to the Port of Oakland.

Despite the monthly dip, there was a slight uptick in year-over-year imports, with November hauling in 71,258 TEUs, this is a 3.8% increase over the 68,646 TEUs reported in November 2022. On the other hand, full export volumes decreased by 3% from the year before, tallying 61,390 TEUs, as mentioned in the Port of Oakland report. Empty container metrics also mirrored this downward trend, particularly empty exports, which saw a 49% decline from November 2022 figures.

Bryan Brandes, the Port's Maritime Director, explained the decline. "We saw some canceled sailings in November as evidenced by the dip in vessel calls last month," he said, as stated by the Port of Oakland. "This caused our volumes to drop." The overall import volume remains relatively consistent, hovering around 70,000 TEUs a month, a drastic change from the high numbers seen during the pandemic.

Brandes also provided insight into the broader trend affecting cargo volume, "Consumers continue to spend, and our local economy is growing, so the lack of an upswing in cargo volume is likely because retailers are working through excess inventory," he told the Port of Oakland. At the same time, he noted the Port's efforts to make maritime operations more efficient in preparation for future cargo increases.

The Port of Oakland, critical for regional economic vitality and employment, supports over 98,000 jobs and generates $174 billion in annual economic activity. The organization operates the Oakland Seaport and Oakland International Airport and maintains nearly 20 miles of waterfront, overseeing an era of ecological innovation as it decarbonizes operations.