Imports climb 5 percent; exports off 3.5 percent

The Port of Oakland handled an all-time high of 2.55 million TEUs in 2018, according to data released by the port.

The throughput was 5.2% higher than in 2017 and was the second consecutive record. Import volume increased 5% while exports declined 3.5%. The number of empty containers that were returned to origin destinations for future import loads grew by 19.7%.

“Last year was the busiest one ever at the port for a variety of reasons,” said John Driscoll, maritime director of the Port of Oakland. “Our objective now is to build on this performance to grow import and export volume.”

Factors influencing cargo flows in 2018 included the China-US trade dispute that prompted shippers to accelerate import orders ahead of anticipated tariffs, a strong US dollar and a buildup of empty containers in the US that required repositioning to Asia, according to the port.