The port said it saw double-digit growth in key areas, including a 21% increase in container volumes in July.
HOUSTON — Port Houston is celebrating one of its strongest single-month performances on record for the month of July.
The port said it saw double-digit growth in key areas, including a 21% increase in container volumes in July.
“Throughout this year, Port Houston has continued to demonstrate strong capacity for growth in containerized cargo and has seen its largest volumes ever,” the port said in a news release.
Year-to-date, the port said it is up 6%. It said it’s on pace for its fastest-paced year on record.
Additionally, the port said its loaded import growth increased by 19% in July compared to the previous year, while loaded exports are up by 18%. They said it was “the largest increase seen in a top five U.S. container port,” and that total loaded containers are up by 5% so far this year.
General cargo volumes are also up at the port. They said general cargo volumes at public terminals were up 10% year-to-date through July.
“Notably, steel imports, comprised of a variety of products frequently used in the oil and gas market, were up 41% compared to July 2024 and 8% year-to-date,” the port said.
“July’s volume performance reflects our Port’s commitment to providing a low-cost, high-service, low-risk gateway adn demonstrates that our customers are trusting us with their cargo during these uncertain times,” Port Houston CEO Charlie Jenkins said in a news release.
The port said it is continuing to make improvements to continue its growth.
“During times like these it can be daunting to invest in infrastructure,” Jenkins said. “At Port Houston, our strategic investments have proven to be a strength that allows us to continue to meet the needs of our customers and bolsters shipper confidence in bringing new volumes to the region.”
Among the improvements is a new 1,000-foot berth at Bayport Container Terminal’s Wharf 7. The port said the new berth will increase its capacity from four to five ships and decrease wait times. They said the new berth is on track to wrap up in December, two months early.
“This is the latest addition that is part of a robust infrastructure growth plan that will continue to add container capacity at the public terminals,” the port said.
The port also touted its Houston Ship Channel Expansion, also known as Project 11. They said the project recently received an award from the Western Dredging Association for being environmentally conscious. According to the port, almost all of the engineering-grade dredged material from the Galveston Bay segment has been used to create 10 acres of bird islands, hundreds of acres of intertidal marshes and hundreds of acres of oyster reefs.
“Project 11 is helping ensure the nation’s number one waterway expands responsibly and remains one of the most important economic corridors in the world,” Jenkins said.
The port said Project 11 has increased the ship channel’s capacity. The dredging on Project 11 is expected to wrap up this summer.
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