Oakland was unable to avoid the fall-out from the global decline in volumes but felt the sharp contraction in trade less than many other ports on the US west coast.
The biggest fall came in November and December, when box volumes dropped 16.5% to 168,823teu and 13% to 166,964teu respectively. In the year as a whole, exports of full containers stayed about the same but imports of full containers dropped 8.4%.
Unsurprisingly, the port has not fared any better in 2009, registering a 13.8% contraction in the first five months of the year, compared with the same period in 2008, though even sharper reductions were seen other west coast hubs including Seattle and Long Beach.
Cargo crossing Oakland's 20 deepwater berths continues to be hit by weak confidence in the US economy.
The port, which boasts 10 container terminals and two intermodal rail facilities, remains the key gateway for northern California's container traffic.
Handling 99% of volumes for the fourth largest metropolitan area in the US, the port authority is optimistic that it will be able to maintain its position as the fourth largest US gateway.
