Houston Container Growth Sets New Records

Port Houston reported on July 12 another record June, with containers leading the way. This June was the highest June on record for containers at Port Houston, with a total of 292,627 twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs), a 39 percent increase over June 2020.

June was also the best month ever at Port Houston for loaded imports, with 139,488 TEUs.  

Year-to-date, Port Houston has recorded 1,607,793 TEUs, a 13 percent increase over last year. Total tonnage is up 7 percent this month and 2 percent year-to-date. Steel and auto volumes dipped this month; however, year to date is still positive, at a 3 percent increase in steel and 44 percent increase in autos compared to 2020.

‘Growth Market’

Consumer spending is up, and that trend is likely to continue. “Houston is a growth market and at Port Houston we’re poised and ready for continued growth. As an operating port, we are here to meet the changing needs of vessels and businesses and continue adding new services and additional capacity to move the world and drive regional prosperity,” said Roger Guenther, executive director of Port Houston.

With growth on the horizon, Port Houston is focused on building infrastructure. This month, Port Houston received the renewal of the Bayport Terminal permit by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. This gives Port Houston construction authorization for the Bayport Terminal for the next five years and allows the port to move forward with its master plan for the construction and buildout of the terminal, which includes completing Wharf 6, Container Yard 2 and other projects. The original permit was issued in 2004 and this is the second renewal.