HOUSTON—Port Houston, the fifth-largest container port in the United States, has broken its own record by surpassing the two million TEU (Twenty-Foot Equivalent Unit) mark faster than ever before. The port has managed an impressive 2,098,117 TEUs in the first six months of the year, reflecting a 13% increase compared to the same period last year. In June alone, the port handled 339,157 TEUs, marking a 7% increase from June 2023.
Roger Guenther, Executive Director at Port Houston, emphasized the importance of Houston’s dynamic economy in this achievement. “Houston’s robust economy plays a pivotal role in the success of our container terminals. The city’s dynamic economic landscape, driven by diverse industries such as energy, manufacturing, technology, and population growth fosters increased consumer demand and industrial activity,” he stated. To meet the rising demand, the port has been enhancing its infrastructure. In June, six new rubber-tired gantry (RTG) hybrid-electric cranes arrived, marking the fourth delivery out of five scheduled for this year. Since December 2023, Port Houston has acquired 26 new RTGs. By the end of this year, Bayport will be able to accommodate 15,000-TEU-class neo-Panamax vessels, thanks to ongoing progress on the Houston Ship Channel Expansion, known as Project 11.
Consumer demand for goods such as furniture, hardware, retail items, and food has driven Port Houston’s loaded import volumes up by 5% compared to June last year. Loaded exports saw an even more significant rise, jumping 11% in June to a total of 114,728 TEUs. Year-to-date, loaded exports have climbed 14%, reaching 769,844 TEUs.
While general cargo at Port Houston’s multipurpose facilities is down 10% year-to-date, steel imports saw a slight increase of 2% this June compared to the same month last year. Notably, plywood imports have skyrocketed by 4,215% year-to-date, although the total volume remains modest at 45,013 short tons. Overall, total tonnage across all facilities is up by 5% in the first half of the year compared to the previous year.
