The Port of Oakland handled 182,879 twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) in October, an increase of 2.2% from September 2025 as full container activity stabilized. Loaded imports rose 0.9% and loaded exports fell 0.7% from the same month last year. The port attributed the overall 5.5% decline in annual volume to handling 24% fewer empty containers year-on-year in October.
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“This reflects changes in how shipping lines manage their equipment – not a slowdown in demand for cargo,” the port said in a statement.
Carriers shifted some cargo and adjusted courses to reduce their exposure before expensive US port duties were imposed on October 14 on Chinese ships. Beijing and Washington have since announced a one-year temporary halt to the tariffs as part of a broader trade agreement.
“Full imports and exports are holding up despite the headwinds,” said Brian Brands, director of the Auckland Seaport. “The modest month-on-month increase shows that the flow of cargo through Auckland remains steady heading into the holiday season. While we are seeing fewer empty containers moving through the system, this is just part of the broader market adjustment.”
The influx of empty ships – an indicator of future imports – has partly shifted to the Canadian ports of Vancouver and Prince Rupert, as lines take business away from some U.S. West Coast hubs.
The port saw 86 vessel calls in October, 6.5% lower year-on-year, consistent with carriers’ ongoing schedule and service network adjustments.
“Cargo owners and shipping companies remain cautious,” Brands said. “Trade flows are adapting to new sourcing patterns and changing global demand, but Auckland continues to perform steadily in our core full container business.”
Source: Market intelligence platform IndexBox
