Sliding Containerized Exports Hurt Port of Oakland

zoom Port of Oaklands overall containerized cargo volume imports, exports and empty containers declined 4.8 percent in September year-on-year, driven mostly by a 12.6 percent drop in exports. The port said that the September export volume was dampened by a continued strength in the U.S. dollar which makes American goods more expensive overseas, and
the economic slowdown in China which has curbed its demand for foreign commodities. Containerized import volume was up for a seventh-straight month at the port in September, with 1.6 percent more containerized imports handled last month than a year ago. This import rally has erased a wintertime decline in Oakland. The port said import totals for the first nine months of 2015 are now even with last year, a significant turnaround from January and February when import volume dropped nearly 40 percent. Were pleased with the ongoing buildup of import cargo, said Maritime Director John Driscoll. Our job now is to maintain the momentum.