Port of Oakland shipping falters in February, now resuming

The Port of Oakland, a main export portal for Central Valley agricultural and other products, said Tuesday that cargo volume was down nearly 37 percent in February compared with the year-ago period.

The port said containerized import volume dropped 39 percent in February this year compared with February 2014. Exports were down 34 percent year over year.

A monthslong stalemate in labor contract talks between the Pacific Maritime Association and the International Longshore and Warehouse Union, both based in San Francisco, clogged major ports in California throughout January and early February. A tentative contract agreement was announced Feb. 20, prompting increased shipping activity at West Coast ports.

Port of Oakland officials said Wednesday that activity is picking up steam.

“Cargo is moving and the backlog is shrinking,” John Driscoll, the port’s maritime director, said in a statement. “With capacity again available in our marine terminals, volumes should begin building soon.”

Oakland port officials said only three vessels were on hold in the Pacific Ocean awaiting terminal berths, down from the backlog of 20 vessels in mid-February.

This story was originally published March 17, 2015 at 1:34 PM with the headline "Port of Oakland shipping falters in February, now resuming."