The Port of Oakland reported a modest rise in container volumes for May, demonstrating resilience amid ongoing global trade uncertainty and tariff negotiations.
Year-to-date, the Californian port has processed 974,417 TEUs, representing a 6% increase compared to the same period in 2024. In May alone, the Port handled 187,389 TEUs, slightly above April’s total of 185,499 TEUs.
The uptick was largely driven by strong export performance and steady import flows, despite volatile trade conditions and evolving sourcing patterns.
Bryan Brandes, Maritime Director at the Port of Oakland, highlighted that strong export demand and consistent service levels have helped maintain throughput, even as global trade conditions remain unpredictable.
The US port recorded 87 vessel calls in May, with a robust year-to-date average of 2,220 TEUs per vessel.
Loaded exports in May reached 67,327 TEUs, up 4% from April and 8.7% year-over-year.
Oakland remains a leading US gateway for agricultural and refrigerated exports and continues to serve as the country’s top refrigerated export port.
Loaded imports showed relative stability, with 79,323 TEUs processed in May, nearly flat compared to 78,965 TEUs in April. However, this marks a slight decline from 80,035 TEUs handled in May 2024.
The consistent inbound volumes reflect resilient consumer demand and ongoing service reliability, despite uncertainty in global trade policy.
The movement of empty containers saw mixed results. Empty exports fell by 19.8% year-over-year, totaling 26,779 TEUs in May 2025 compared to 33,390 TEUs in May 2024. Conversely, empty imports rose by 10.1%, with the Port handling 13,960 TEUs this May versus 12,681 TEUs a year earlier.
