Port Houston has reported stronger activity across the Houston Ship Channel region.
The uplift is driven by rising US energy exports and improved container throughput, with public terminals recording their highest monthly container volumes since last summer.
Export momentum continues to underpin regional performance as crude oil and refined product shipments increase, supported by sustained demand from global trading partners and ongoing infrastructure development, including the Houston Ship Channel Expansion, known as Project 11.
Charlie Jenkins, Chief Executive Officer of Port Houston, said: “The Houston Ship Channel region is where American energy production meets global demand. As our trading partners around the world continue to rely on US energy exports, the Houston Ship Channel is delivering the capacity, reliability, and scale needed to keep those supply chains moving.
“The strong growth we are seeing in exports reflects years of investment across the region, including the Houston Ship Channel Expansion, known as Project 11, and the strength of an integrated energy supply chain that connects American producers to global markets.”
Export volumes through the Houston Ship Channel region rose 28 per cent year-on-year (YoY) in April to 19.84 million short tonnes, while imports increased 3 per cent to 4.95 million short tonnes.
Total tonnage reached 24.79 million short tonnes, up 23 per cent YoY.
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Year to date (YTD), exports increased 21 per cent to 73.07 million short tonnes, while imports declined 8 per cent to 16.73 million short tonnes.
Crude oil export tonnage rose 35 per cent through April, while refined product exports increased 29 per cent, reflecting continued strength in US energy flows into international markets.
Container throughput at Port Houston’s public terminals reached 398,322 TEUs in May, up 4 per cent YoY.
Loaded imports rose 13 per cent to 188,276 TEUs, marking the strongest monthly import performance since July 2025, while loaded exports increased 2 per cent to 134,934 TEUs. YTD, total container volumes remained broadly stable at 1.84 million TEUs.
Steel import volumes fell 7 per cent YoY in May to 390,302 tonnes, while overall steel throughput declined 8 per cent.
READ: Port Houston reports 5 per cent rise in vessel activity
However, volumes reached their highest monthly level since August 2025, suggesting some stabilisation in demand despite remaining below prior-year levels. General cargo volumes declined 63 per cent to 30,262 tonnes.
Vessel activity across the Houston Ship Channel increased in parallel, with deep-draft transits rising 11 per cent year on year in May to 1,649 calls.
Barge traffic remained broadly stable at 17,737 transits. YTD, deep-draft movements are up 7 per cent and barge transits up 6 per cent, reflecting sustained utilisation across the channel system.
For more information:
Port Houston – https://porthouston.com/
