The Port of Oakland handled 163,254 teu in February, posting a sharp decline from both the previous month and the same period last year as vessel calls fell and trade flows continued to shift.
The northern California gateway said total throughput was down 16.7% from January and 14.5% year on year. Vessel calls dropped from 86 in January to 72 in February, partly due to planned blank sailings linked to the Lunar New Year period.
The port also pointed to changing trade patterns, noting that some carriers are routing a greater share of US imports through hubs in Mexico and Canada, from where containers can be moved onward into US markets by rail or truck.
Export performance, while also lower than a year earlier, held up better than imports. Export volumes reached 86,796 teu, down around 9.5% from the same month in 2025, while imports came in at 76,458 teu, a steeper decline of 19.6%.
Bryan Brandes, maritime director at the port, said February’s results were shaped in large part by seasonal scheduling around Lunar New Year. Even with fewer ship calls, he said Oakland’s export business remained comparatively resilient, reflecting its role as a major outlet for refrigerated and agricultural cargo.
Oakland is an important gateway for regional exports including nuts, beef, pork, tomato products and wine.
Loaded containers accounted for 130,192 teu of the monthly total, while empty containers stood at 33,062 teu. Year to date, loaded containers represent about 78% of total throughput and exports make up roughly 51% of overall volume.
