The Port of Oakland handled 178,942 TEUs in September 2025, marking a 6.6 per cent year-on-year (YoY) decline and a 7 per cent drop from August.
Port officials attributed the slowdown to tariff-related market adjustments and evolving global trade flows, rather than typical seasonal trends.
Full imports fell 7.9 per cent YoY to 75,716 TEUs, while full exports slipped 2.2 per cent to 60,123 TEUs.
Despite these short-term declines, trade flows remained stable, supported by consistent vessel calls and efficient terminal operations.
From January through September, Oakland marine terminals processed 1.72 million TEUs – up 0.7 per cent compared to the same period last year.
Full imports rose 1.6 per cent, while exports increased by 0.5 per cent, reflecting steady performance amid global tariff uncertainty.
The port recorded 82 vessel calls in September, down from 90 a year earlier. However, average vessel utilisation rose 1.8 per cent to 2,193 TEUs per call, highlighting the continued deployment of larger vessels and terminal efficiency.
Bryan Brandes, Maritime Director at the Port of Oakland, said: “While global trade patterns continue to shift, Oakland remains resilient. Year-to-date growth and rising vessel utilisation signal confidence in Oakland’s long-term role as a vital US trade gateway.”
Port officials noted that some importers front-loaded shipments earlier in the year to mitigate tariff risks, reducing typical autumn volumes.
On the export side, agricultural and refrigerated goods continued to face subdued overseas demand and cost pressures.
Port Executive Director, Kristi McKenney, said: “Even amid short-term market fluctuations, we remain focused on long-term infrastructure and sustainability goals.
“We’re investing in the future to ensure Oakland remains competitive and continues to support the nearly 100,000 regional jobs it enables.”
Last month, the Port of Oakland launched a suite of digital dashboards on its Oakland Portal website and mobile app, giving shippers, truckers, and community members better insight into how the port is operating in real time.
