The Port of Oakland has kicked off 2025 on a high note, displaying notable increases in container volume for January. According to official figures released by port authorities, loaded container traffic hit 146,187 TEUs (twenty-foot equivalent units), which marks an 8.5% jump from the previous year's numbers in the same month, per the Port of Oakland.
Port of Oakland's Maritime Director, Bryan Brandes, shared his insights on the growth, noting, "Strong import growth reflects the resilience of Northern California's economy and the confidence cargo owners have in our gateway." Despite the port experiencing growth, it is worth noting that the import of empty containers saw a substantial decline of 26.2%. In January of last year, the port handled 17,117 TEUs of empty imports, which fell to 12,625 TEUs in January 2025, as cited by the Port of Oakland.
The drivers behind this upswing can be attributed to both sectors, with imports climbing 13%. 81,453 TEUs were processed this January, outstripping the 72,081 TEUs a year earlier. Exports also showed resilience, increasing by 3.4%, with 64,735 TEUs shipped out in contrast to 62,596 TEUs in January 2024.
