Port of Houston has closed 2021 by achieving a new record in container throughput, handling nearly 3.5 million TEU, which is an increase of 15% over the previous record of 3 million TEU, set in 2020.
During the same period, total cargo tonnage also marked a record of nearly 52 million tons, while the previous highest measured total cargo tonnage was 48.2 million tons in 2019, according to the US port.
Between March and December, container volumes marked double-digit increases, according to the port’s data.
In December alone, Port Houston handled 303,204 TEU, representing a rise of 10% compared to the same month of 2020. At the same time, loaded imported reached 148,301 TEU, while loaded exports completed 90,660 TEU.
Meanwhile, steel imports saw an overall 52% increase over 2020, as well as a 93% growth in December. In addition, bagged goods, auto imports, lumber and wind power equipment demonstrated increases from the previous calendar year.
“Despite challenges due to supply chain interruptions, Covid-19, labour and equipment shortages, historic freezes, and hot summers, Port Houston posted the best numbers in its history, and kept its people safe” stated chairman Ric Campo, who went on to add that 2021 was an excellent year for Port Houston, but the best is yet to come.
Amid this strong performance, Houston is developing its distribution centre segment with 464,515 m² of warehouse space projected to become operational in 2021 and 678,192 m² being under construction for delivery in 2022.
“Our long-standing strategy of building capacity in front of demand and investing into our terminals and our people is demonstrating results,” claimed Port Houston executive director Roger Guenther.
“We are focused on accelerating expansion of our infrastructure and working with the International Law Association (ILA) and our other partners to continue to provide world-class service to our customers and be a major force in the global supply chain,” Guenther added.
Three new neo-panamax ship-to-shore (STS) cranes are scheduled to arrive at Port Houston in February, which will add to an existing fleet of 26 STS and 110 rubber-tyred gantry (RTG) cranes.
In addition, the Houston Ship Channel Expansion – Project 11 is underway as well, aimed to accommodate larger vessels to more safely and efficiently navigate the channel.
The US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) has recently released its Fiscal Year 2022 Workplan for the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act that includes more than US$142.5 million for the federal share for the construction of segment three of this infrastructure project.
