Port Houston annual volume approached record in 2020

By R. Hans Miller | News Editor
Posted 1/15/21

Port Houston’s annual container activity rose in December which pushed the volume of cargo close to matching the level set in 2019 which was a record year, according to a statement released by …

This item is available in full to subscribers.

Please log in to continue

Log in

Port Houston annual volume approached record in 2020

Posted

Port Houston’s annual container activity rose in December which pushed the volume of cargo close to matching the level set in 2019 which was a record year, according to a statement released by the port.

“We are proud to keep the supply chain moving and help move goods to consumers. People need the items that arrive through our docks, like medical supplies and food, as well as e-commerce goods for their home,” said Port Houston Executive Director Roger Guenther.

December 2020 was the second-bussiest month ever for loaded imports with more than 126,000 twenty-foot equivalent units – or TEUs – of loaded imports moved through the port, a 26% increase from December 2019. Total TEUs for 2020 reached 2,989,347 TEUs as compared to 2019’s 2,990,175 TEUs.

Guenther said he is optimistic that the rebound in container volumes at Port Houston will continue and projections for 2021 indicate additional growth.

As a result of the anticipated growth, Port Houston is continuing to expand and investing in infrastructure and its labor force, the statement said.

Total cargo was down 4% for the year overall in 2020 due to decreased demaind for oil industry-related hardware such as steel piping. However, grain and bulk cargoes were up in 2020 as compared to 2019, but overall steel and automotive good transport was down.

Port Houston is the sixth largest container port in the U.S. and handles more than two-thirds of all containers in the Gulf of Mexico.

“Given the challenging 2020 we all had, we are grateful to our entire team for continuing to provide world-class service to our customers so Houstonians and others in the region get the essentials they need.”