In September, Port Houston handled 353,525 TEUs, an increase of 26% compared to September of last year, according to the company's release.
This is the second-highest month ever for containers at Port Houston, following only August 2022. The increase in volume is largely due to demand for imported goods and a more efficient gateway, and loaded import container volume was up 31% in September over the same month last year.
Overall, container volume is up 18% year-to-date at Port Houston’s terminals and is nearing the 3M mark already this year.
Recently the Port Commission approved the purchase of 26 hybrid-electric rubber tire gantry (RTG) cranes and three new electric ship-to-shore cranes.
Steel imports were up 32% in September and year-to-date are up 76% and have surpassed 4M tons. Steel products, which include line pipe, structural pipe and tubing, and oil country goods are used in the oil and gas industry.
Auto import units were up 241% in September compared to last year and are up 4% year to date. Total tonnage at Port Houston’s facilities is up 26% for the year through September.
Port Houston has owned and operated the public wharves and terminals along the Houston Ship Channel, including the area’s largest breakbulk facility and two of the most efficient container terminals in the country. The Houston Ship Channel complex and its more than 200 public and private terminals, collectively known as the Port of Houston, is the U.S. largest port for waterborne tonnage and an essential economic engine for the Houston region, the state of Texas and the U.S.