Container volumes at Port Houston are up 20 per cent year-on-year in Q1 2022, almost reaching 1 million TEU.
After a productive March where it moved 308,557 TEU, the port has now processed a total of 903,393 TEU since the beginning of 2022.
Last month, Port Houston waived dockage for ships waiting at anchor that could berth while waiting for gang assignments in order to accelerate the working of vessels and move cargo through the port faster.
The port has also accelerated projects at its container terminals, for example doubling gate capacity at its Barbours Cut Container Terminal.
“Port Houston is constantly evaluating growth within the industry and developing innovative solutions to accommodate that growth,” said Executive Director Roger Guenther.
“We know that velocity of goods is of the utmost importance to our customers, and we continue to evaluate our procedures and infrastructure to improve efficiency.”
Last year marked the port’s busiest year on record for containers, processing 3.5 million TEU, a 15 per cent increase compared to its volumes in 2020.
Imports were a major driver in this significant growth. In December 2021 alone, the port handled 303,204 TEU, a 10 per cent increase compared to the same period the previous year.
In this month, 148,301 TEU counted for loaded imports and the remaining 90,660 TEU represented loaded exports.
Earlier this month, Port Houston also laid out its plan to achieve a net-zero GHG footprint by 2050.
In its roadmap to carbon neutrality, the port cited the need to upgrade technology, improve infrastructure and equipment, and utilise alternative fuels and clean energy sources.