Port of Oakland Blames Bypassing Ships for Cargo Decline in October

Forty-three percent fewer ships called at Oakland in October due to delays elsewhere, the port said.

The Port of Oakland is blaming bypassing ships for a steep drop off in cargo volumes in October.

The California port reported cargo volumes that were 20 percent lower than October 2020 despite booming trans-pacific trade. Containerized imports dropped 14 percent compared to October 2020 totals, while exports were down 27 percent year-over-year.

The port attributed its cargo volume dip to declining vessel traffic, including 43 percent fewer ships last month than in October 2020. It said some carriers diverted ships directly to Asia, bypassing Oakland, following crippling delays at Southern California ports.

Meanwhile, the port is not experiencing the supply congestion that has hampered other U.S. seaports, prompting port officials to call for more cargo.

The Port of Oakland said shipping lines have begun restoring vessel services that were suspended earlier in the year. Sixty-one ships called in Oakland last month, compared to 54 in September. An even larger number of vessel arrivals is expected for November, the port said.

The Port of Oakland said additional service calls would be particularly welcomed by exporters, as producers who ship goods out of Oakland have been stymied by scarce vessel space.

Through the first 10 months of 2021, Oakland total cargo volume is up nearly 2 percent, while import volume has increased 8 percent.