Port of Houston surpasses 2 million TEU mark

The Port of Houston has passed the 2 million TEU threshold faster than ever before.

During the first six months of the year, the port successfully handled 2.09 million TEUs at its terminals, representing a double-digit growth of 13% year-to-date (YTD) compared to the first half of the previous year.

In June, 339,157 TEUs were handled in the port facilities, an increase of 7% compared to June 2023.

Roger Guenther, Port Houston Executive Director, said, “Houston’s strong economy plays a critical role in the success of our container terminals. The city’s vibrant economic landscape, driven by diverse sectors such as energy, manufacturing, technology and population growth, is driving increased consumer demand and industrial activity.”

READ: Port of Houston hits new container volume record for January

Recently, the port received six more hybrid electric rubber-tired gantry cranes (RTGs), the fourth of five total deliveries this year. Port Houston has added 26 additional RTGs since December 2023.

Additionally, by the end of this year, 15,000 TEU-class neo-Panamax vessels will be able to dock at Bayport as the port continues work on the Houston Ship Channel expansion, also known as Project 11.

In June, growing demand for products and consumer spending on items such as furniture, hardware, retail goods and food propelled Port Houston’s loaded import volumes up 5% from the same month last year.

READ: Port of Houston Surpasses 1 Million TEU Mark

Loaded exports also saw considerable growth, up 11% this month to 114,728 TEUs. Year-to-date loaded exports are up 14% to 769,844 TEUs.

General cargo is down 10% year-to-date at Port Houston’s multipurpose facility, but steel imports are up 2% this month compared to June 2023.

Additionally, plywood is up 4,215 percent year-to-date, despite its relatively low total volume of 45,013 short tons.

Total tonnage of all installations remains positive, with a 5% increase in the first half compared to the previous year.

In April, the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Highway Administration announced that Texas had received a $26.9 million grant for the new Port Houston Clean Truck Program to help reduce air emissions.