FULL import containers at the Port of Oakland edged up slightly by just under 1 per cent in November, compared to the same month last year, while loaded export boxes dipped 2.6 per cent during the same period.

Full import containers in November totalled 78,045 TEU, 0.9 per cent higher than November 2019 when loaded imports amounted to 77,367 TEU.

Although strong import demand continues in the US, November import cargo volume was not as high as anticipated at Oakland. Port officials said mounting cargo, congestion at Southern California ports, and the resulting vessel delays contributed to fewer containers than expected coming through the Oakland seaport during the month.

"The cargo is there, it's just delayed," said Port of Oakland maritime director Bryan Brandes. "We expect to see higher import cargo volume numbers this month compared to December 2019."

Full export containers in November 2020 totalled 79,667 TEU, accounting for the 2.6 per cent drop compared to 81,780 TEU that passed through the port in November last year, according to New York's Maritime Logistics Professional.

Some California exporters say they are having a challenge finding enough containers to get their product to overseas markets. Import demand is prompting ocean carriers to rush empty containers back to Asia where they can be loaded for more goods headed to America.

Year to date cargo volume, January through November 2020, totalled 197,692 TEU, up 0.2 per cent compared to the same period last year with a total of 197,360 TEU.