The Port of Oakland’s total cargo volumes for 2016 are up six percent over the same period a year ago. Port terminals handled 1,152,608 TEU from January through June 2016.

During the same period in 2015, the volume was 1,087,417 TEUs.

But the numbers for June 2016 showed a decline over last year, thanks to declining scrap and waste paper shipments. Agricultural exports remain strong through the port. The strong U.S. dollar has been taking its toll on exports generally, making them more expensive for overseas buyers.

When looking at fully-loaded containers, the port’s imports and exports have grown 10.1 percent compared with the same January to June period in 2015. The port continues to see a balance between import and export cargo volumes through the Oakland gateway, at 49 percent and 51 percent, respectively.

“These container statistics are encouraging in light of the current state of volatility within the global maritime industry,” said Port of Oakland Maritime Director John Driscoll. “We are continuing to grow, a sign of the robust regional economy in northern California and also of strong agricultural exports.”

When comparing loaded and total container volumes for the month of June 2016 versus June 2015, the data shows a 2.2 and 4.6 percent decline respectively. The decline in total TEU in June 2016 versus June 2015 was driven primarily by approximately 15 percent fewer export empty containers handled, according to port statistics. The decline in loaded TEU in June 2016 versus June 2015 was driven by a modest decline in export volumes. The port said that the export decline is due to softening scrap and waste paper shipments.