Throughout November 2023, Port Houston managed nearly 3.5 million TEUs, reflecting a 5% decrease compared to the record volumes of the previous year.
While loaded export TEUs for November experienced a 2% decline from the same period last year, the overall export performance for 2023 remained robust, witnessing a 9% increase compared to the previous year, totalling 1,268,034 TEUs year-to-date.
The demand for Houston’s exports continues to be primarily fuelled by the region’s production of resins and petrochemical commodities.
On the other hand, loaded imports showed a softening trend, with 137,631 TEUs in November, marking a 16% decrease for the month and an 8% decrease year-to-date. Noteworthy in November was the arrival of one of the largest vessels to date at Port Houston’s Bayport Container Terminal—the CMA CGM Lisa Marie, boasting a capacity of nearly 11,000 TEUs. The terminal efficiently handled the vessel with five STS cranes, completing an impressive 4,974 moves in less than two days.
“At Port Houston, we are always preparing for upcoming growth and this recent vessel call perfectly represents what the future holds for our facility,” stated Roger Guenther, executive director at Port Houston.
According to Site Selection Magazine, Texas has the best climate for business in the U.S. and it has received the Governor’s Cup for 11 consecutive years as a top state for job creation and capital investments. The Houston Ship Channel, of which Port Houston is the local advocate, is a significant economic asset. It supports 1.54 million jobs throughout the state of Texas, 3.37 million jobs nationwide, more than US$439 billion in statewide economic value and US$906 billion in nationwide economic value.
In other sectors of Port Houston’s facilities, there has been a 20% decrease in general cargo this year, attributed to declines in coal, grain, and plywood. Steel volumes have also experienced a 13% year-to-date reduction through November. On a positive note, auto import units have shown resilience, registering a remarkable 67% year-to-date increase compared to the corresponding period in 2022.
The total tonnage handled through Port Houston terminals has seen a 9% decline through November, amounting to 46,196,305 short tons.
Source: Container News