Port Houston Showing Strong Upturn

Reflects the Region’s Economic Strength and Resiliency

HOUSTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Business at Port Houston public terminals continues to show strength. “October activity indicates that growth remains strong, signaling a sustained upward trend and resurgence of commerce through our port,” said Port Houston Executive Director Roger Guenther in his report to the Port Commission of the Port Houston Authority during its regular monthly meeting on Tuesday.

Guenther said that the public container terminals are “consistently seeing more than 10,000 transactions through their gates each day” as cargo volume activity continues to increase. “It is truly incredible that we enter into the final quarter of a year with unthinkable hurdles with the opportunity to handle commerce that will very nearly match a record 2019,” he said.

Guenther added that the success was made possible as “our Port Houston Team, our ILA labor, our truckers, our stevedores, and all of our partners, have continued to deliver efficient and competitive service to our customers.”

While total tonnage across the public docks remains 5% below 2019, September container volume exceeded the prior years’ month for the first time since February. The count of twenty-foot-equivalent or TEU units handled at the public terminals increased 1% vs. Sept. 2019. The Executive Director added “more good news” as well, with no new “blank” or canceled sailings to report.

Guenther said that “retailers are catching up and replenishing inventory at the same time that we are in the midst of a robust peak season in preparation for the holidays.” He shared that 26 more “extra loader” vessels were added to the vessel schedule, helping to drive a solid return to business.

Chairman Ric Campo also announced the installation of a channel current meter to support safer navigation of the Houston Ship Channel during heavy flood conditions. Campo said that installing this meter was a “great example of partnership with our industry and community” for “another big win.” He highlighted Port Houston’s Central Maintenance team for their work in its installation.

The Port Commission Budget Workshop is on Nov. 10.

About Port Houston

For more than 100 years, Port Houston has owned and operated the public wharves and terminals of the greater Port of Houston – the nation’s largest port for the foreign waterborne tonnage and an essential economic engine for the Houston region, the state of Texas, and the nation. The Port of Houston supports the creation of nearly 1.35 million jobs in Texas and 3.2 million jobs across the nation, and economic activity totaling $339 billion in Texas – 20.6 % of the Texas total gross domestic product (GDP) – and a total of $801.9 billion in U.S. economic impact. For more information, visit the website at PortHouston.com.