The Port of Houston has surpassed 3mn TEU, with volumes up 16% year-to-date through November to reach just over 3.1mn TEU.
November has been the ninth consecutive month of double-digit growth in containers for the port, up 20% more than the same month last year at 314,576 TEU.
Roger Guenther, Executive Director at Port Houston said, “The surge in demand is still felt throughout the supply chain, especially as importers rush product to the shelves for the holidays and build inventories in advance of temporary factory closures during the Chinese New Year.”
“We are expecting high levels of import containers to continue well into 2022 and Port Houston is preparing to meet that demand.”
October container volumes were up 11% more than the same period last year, totalling 328,486 TEU handled for the month.
After a slow start to the year at Port Houston’s multipurpose facilities, steel jumped 182% in October and 226% in November and is up 48% year-to-date through November.
Other sectors also saw increases in recent months, including lumber, up 230% year to date, and bagged goods, up 39% year to date while auto units are up 13% year to date through November.
Guenther added, “Port Houston is accelerating expansion projects such as widening and deepening of the Houston Ship Channel to allow for neo-panamax vessels, adding additional wharves and container yard space to handle our fast-growing business, and developing of our regional maritime workforce.”
The port is actively working with the local International Longshoreman Association (ILA) to ensure future labour availability through training and added support to prepare for future demand.
The partnership has proved beneficial as more crane operators and maritime workers join the workforce to support operations.
