The Port of Oakland has reported that containerised imports have shown signs of recovery in 2021, while they grew by almost 8% during the first 11 months of the year, and by 6.5% in November, compared to the same periods of 2020.
These numbers bring the port’s total volumes to 1% up, compared to the previous year, and if these activity levels remain, “2021 could be the busiest year in Oakland’s history.”
Exports, however, dropped by 9.4% in November while “there weren’t enough ships headed to foreign markets,” explained port officials.
After two straight months of declining imports, the Californian port attributed the increased cargo activity to the additional vessel traffic, while ships called in Oakland during November were 75, the most in six months.
Following mid-year cancellations, shipping lines are restoring vessel service to Oakland while it constitutes an uncongested alternative to the congested Southern California gateways, according to a statement.
Some cargo owners even chartered their own ships in November to reach Oakland, according to the US port.
Earlier in the year, ships bypassed Oakland due to excessive delays in Los Angeles and Long Beach.
