The Port of Oakland moved 174,239 twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) in November 2025. Overall volumes declined compared with last year and the previous month. However, export performance remained a clear bright spot.
Total container traffic fell 4.1% year on year and 4.7% month on month. This slowdown reflected seasonal patterns and ongoing adjustments in global shipping networks.
Exports provide stability
Loaded exports reached 68,824 TEUs, marking a 3.3% increase year on year and a 4.0% rise from October. Agricultural and refrigerated cargoes continued to support outbound flows. As a result, Oakland reinforced its position as a key U.S. gateway for farm products and the country’s leading port for refrigerated exports.
Meanwhile, loaded imports totaled 73,092 TEUs. This represented a 9.3% annual decline and an 11.1% drop from October, pointing to softer inbound demand.
Balanced cargo flows continue
Combined loaded container volumes stood at 141,915 TEUs, down 3.6% year on year. However, volumes remained broadly stable compared with the previous month. Empty container traffic declined to 32,324 TEUs, falling 6.4% year on year and 6.3% month on month. This change mainly reflected carrier equipment repositioning rather than reduced cargo demand.
Fewer calls, steady throughput
Vessel calls totaled 76 in November, down 8.4% from a year earlier and 11.6% from October. Even so, carriers deployed larger vessels and consolidated services. Consequently, higher cargo volumes per call helped maintain overall terminal throughput.
Operational resilience amid change
November’s results show the port adapting to shifting market conditions. Export strength, together with efficient terminal operations, continued to support reliable cargo flows despite weaker imports and fewer vessel calls.
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Source: Port of Oakland
