Port of Houston Says Cargo Tonnage Up 7% in 2018
Cargo tonnage at Port Houston increased 7% during the first two months of this year, boosted by a strong uptick in steel imports, the port announced.
Port Houston terminals handled 6.1 million tons of cargo in January and February, which included a 17% increase in steel imports.
The results put the port in good position for the rest of the year, Executive Director Roger Guenther said.
“We are off and running, a quarter of the way through another busy year, and port facilities are seeing tremendous activity and delivering solid results,” he said in a news release.
The port noted that the steel import gains arrived despite steel tariffs that took effect mid-March. Several countries have been granted exemptions to those tariffs, which were championed by President Donald Trump. Those countries include Mexico, Canada, Brazil, Argentina, South Korea and Australia and the European Union nations.
Container activity at Port Houston was up 1%, despite tough comparisons with 2017, when the port recorded substantial volume increases, Guenther said.
The port noted that while container exports have so far been less than expected, increased resin production resulting from facility expansions along the Houston Ship Channel is materializing, and setting the stage for an upward trend for the rest of the year.
Also, port commissioners have approved improvements to the facilities, including rehabilitation and repair of Dock 9 at the Turning Basin Terminal and the purchase of eight rubber-tired-gantry cranes at the Barbours Cut Container Terminal.
