Port Houston — the US' fifth-largest container port — recorded its highest July volumes on record last month, driven by a rise in auto imports.

The port handled a total of 344,163 TEUs during the month, a 5% increase from July 2022. Year-to-date, 2,202,538 TEUs were handled at Port Houston terminals, only 1% less than last year's record volumes.

"Container volumes at Port Houston this July were the highest of any previous July on record," the port said.

In July, loaded import volumes at Port Houston were 166,151 TEUs, an increase of 4% compared to last July.

Loaded export volumes were up 15% at 117,652 TEUs. Year-to-date loaded export volumes are up 12% compared to last year, mainly due to the strong demand for resins.

The port noted that overall, it is seeing a balanced flow of containers, with 51% imports and 49% exports so far this year.

Infrastructure investments

Recently, Port Houston received three new ship-to-shore (STS) cranes at the Bayport Container Terminal as part of an expansion plan to add a wharf at that location.

The port said this terminal enhancement will meet future needs and increase overall efficiency and capacity, benefiting both importers and exporters.

The cranes will support the service of the 15,000 TEU-sized vessels expected to call upon the 2024 completion of the Bayport Channel portion of the Houston Ship Channel Expansion – Project 11.

"These continued investments at Port Houston terminals are part of an overall strategic plan that aims to facilitate smooth flow of goods, create new, good-paying jobs, and drive overall prosperity for our region," said Roger Guenther, executive director at Port Houston.

"The Houston market continues to thrive, and we are well-positioned now and for the future," Guenther added.

Total tonnage across all Port Houston terminals is down 3% through July at 29,850,836 short tons. Steel is down 5% for July 2023 compared to the same month last year, totalling 451,193 tons.

However, Port of Houston said the auto import units have increased by 56% year-to-date compared to the same time period in 2022.

Port Houston is the nation's fifth-largest container port in one of the fastest-growing cities and sits along the Houston Ship Channel, which is the number one waterway in the US.