Cargo Business Newswire

Wednesday, March 18, 2015

Port of Oakland cargo volume down 36 percent in February

February cargo volume at the Port of Oakland declined 36.67 percent year over year, according to a port statement, but the head of the port said it is making significant progress in recovering from the backlog caused by the West Coast labor contract dispute.

"Cargo is moving and the backlog is shrinking," said Maritime Director John Driscoll. "With capacity again available in our marine terminals, volumes should begin building soon."

The statement said containerized import volume dropped 39 percent in February compared to the same period last year, and exports dropped 34 percent.

Port officials assert that similar results are expected at other major West Coast ports when results are announced. That’s the after-effect of the nine-month dockworker contract dispute that constricted cargo movement from Seattle to San Diego. Labor and management reached tentative agreement Feb. 20 on a new pact, which awaits union ratification.

Analysts forecast an uptick in containerized West Coast trade volume as the cargo backlog disappears. The port said only three vessels were anchored offshore awaiting terminal berths this week, a significant drop from the 20 vessels awaiting berths in mid-February.