Port Houston’s loaded imports in December increased by 26% year-on-year (YoY) in another sign trade is recovering from the COVID-19 pandemic.
In a statement, the Port said it handled 126,711 TEU of loaded imports, the second busiest month on record for that type of cargo and just behind the record it set in October 2020.
It processed almost as much TEU in 2020 as it did in its record year in 2019.
The Port’s volume increased by 4% YoY in December 2020, which meant it processed 2.89 million, just under the 2.99 million it did in 2019.
The high levels of cargo activity were reached despite the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent impact on global trade.
Roger Guenther, Executive Director, Port Houston, said, “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 ecommerce goods for their home.
“Given the challenging 2020 we all had, we are grateful to our entire team for continuing to provide worldclass service to our customers so Houstonians and others in the region get the essentials they need.”
Guenther is optimistic that the rebound in container volumes underway at Port Houston will continue.
Port Houston projections for this year indicate additional growth. To support the growing customer base, Port Houston continues to expand, investing in infrastructure and labour.
Total cargo was down 4% for the year overall in 2020, mainly attributed to a decreased demand for oil country tubular goods or “OCTG” in the form of steel pipe for the energy sector. Grain and bulk cargoes were up year-over-year, but steel and autos were down.
