Port Houston Celebrates Record Year For Containers, Tonnage In 2017

In 2017, Port Houston recorded a total of 38.3 million tons handled—an all-time record that broke the previous record of 37.8 million tons set in 2014. The port also reported its second consecutive record year for its container business, handling 2.46 million TEUs (twenty-foot equivalent units) in 2017.

The 2.46 million TEUs handled in 2017 represented a 13 percent increase over 2016.

“We are again on our way to another tremendous year of opportunity and growth at Port Houston,” said Janiece Longoria, chair of the port’s commission, in a statement.

In a report to the port commission, Port Houston Executive Director Roger Guenther announced a 99 percent uptime in reliability for the port’s 22 ship-to-shore cranes, which resulted in extended gate hours for truckers. Guenther also reported ongoing success at the port’s Foreign Trade Zone No. 84 program.

Guenther said the port brought online in 2017 some $200 million-worth of construction contracts aimed at providing the infrastructure to meet cargo demands at Port Houston. Work completed in 2017 included Container Yard 6 North and South, including gantry cranes at the Bayport terminals. Wharf 2 at the Barbours Cut terminal was completed and three new super post-Panamax STS cranes arrived at the port.

Longoria also announced that the Harris County Mayors and Councils Association has reappointed Stephen H. DonCarlos to the commission. DonCarlos has served the commission since September of 2013.