Oakland Port Cargo Volume Hit All-time High in 2018

The Port of Oakland reported a record-setting 2018 in cargo movement, on account of an expected spike in imports aimed at beating new tariffs on goods shipped from China.

According to data released by the port, it handled the equivalent of 2.55 million 20-foot containers last year. That was up 5.2 percent from 2017 volume. It was the second straight year of record volume in Oakland, the Port said.

According to Port figures, 2018 import cargo volume increased 5 percent while exports declined 3.5 percent. The volume of empty containers returned to origin destinations for future import loads increased 19.7 percent.

"Multiple influences were at work in 2018 shaping cargo flows, including a China-U.S. trade dispute that prompted shippers to accelerate import orders ahead of anticipated tariffs; A strong dollar that made U.S. exports costlier overseas; and buildup of empty containers in the U.S. that required repositioning to Asia because of the import surge," said a statement.

“Last year was the busiest one ever at the Port for a variety of reasons,” said Port of Oakland Maritime Director John Driscoll.  “Our objective now is to build on this performance to grow import and export volume.”

The Port of Oakland oversees the Oakland Seaport, Oakland International Airport, and nearly 20 miles of waterfront including Jack London Square.