Port of Oakland August Container Volumes Fall Year Over Year Despite Export Gain

The Port of Oakland handled 173,818 twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) in August, with full export volume rising 2.9% from July, though overall loaded-container traffic remained below year-earlier levels. Combined loaded imports and exports totaled 131,666 TEUs for the month, down 9% from August 2025. Empty-container traffic, a frequent indicator of future imports, reached 42,152 TEUs, declining 11.4% year over year, while vessel calls fell to 82 from 90 a year earlier. For the first eight months of 2026, Oakland's loaded cargo volume fell 2.5% from the same period in 2025. Full imports dropped 4.6%, partly offset by a 0.2% rise in full exports. Acting Maritime Director Jason Garben said loaded volumes have been relatively stable this year, with exports slightly ahead of the 2025 pace. The port said it will work more closely with ocean carriers to attract cargo, as second-tier West Coast hubs face service consolidation at LA-Long Beach.