Congestion leads to container volume drop at Port of Oakland

Container imports at the Port of Oakland declined by 12% year-on-year in January 2021 as a result of spreading supply chain congestion.

Exports, in particular, were down 11% and the port attributed the cargo declines to several factors that included late-arriving ships from southern California as up to 60 vessels at anchor waited for berth space.

Bryan Brandes, maritime director at Port of Oakland, said: “There’s a lot of cargo trapped on ships just waiting to get here after departing Southern California. Our concern is getting shipments to our customers as quickly as we can.”