Port Houston reached a total of 313,452 TEU during February, reflecting a 15 per cent increase compared to the same month last year.
Year-to-date volumes are up 6 per cent to 633,442 TEU.
Though Port Houston experienced growth throughout the first two months of 2023, recently its terminals are beginning to see some softening in import demand consistent with the national trend.
Sources indicate that high inventory levels and a general decrease in consumer demand are the main factors in this decline, and a general downward trend will likely continue over the next several months which was anticipated and included in the 2023 forecast budget, according to the port.
Export volumes have increased by 42 per cent last month, driven by the strength of plastic resins and other petrochemical commodities produced and delivered globally through Port Houston.
At breakbulk facilities, general cargo declined 25 per cent year-to-date, and steel imports declined by 8 per cent year-to-date.
Total tonnage through Port Houston is up 7 per cent year to date.
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“Since the beginning of this year, vessel queues have disappeared and turn times are quick and fluid for our trucking community,” said Roger Guenther, Executive Director at Port Houston.
“We also continue to press forward with accelerated investments, both landside and waterside, as we prepare for future growth.”
This increase in container throughput for February comes after the port’s January container volumes dropped by 3,437 TEU from the same month in 2022.
Port Houston recorded its best year yet in 2022 with annual container volume up by 14 per cent.
