Houston excels in container throughput
The Texan Port of Houston's throughput in 2021 amounted to almost 52 million t in total. The port’s previous record cargo tonnage (48.2 million t) dates back to 2019. 3.5 million teu were handled, a 15% increase compared to 2020 when Port Houston’s container teu passed the threshold of 3 million teu for the first time.
The Port of Houston is currently called by 21 direct weekly services, six of which are Asia-direct with two including a Vietnam call.
While steel imports saw an overall 52% increase when compared to 2020, bagged goods, auto imports, lumber and wind power equipment all grew compared to the previous year.
The port successfully handled the increased cargo volumes and transports to and from the hinterland, with truck turn times averaging less than 50 minutes during the final month of 2021. More than 13,000 gate transactions were completed in a single day in late December.
In addition, three new neo-Panamax STS cranes are scheduled to arrive at Port Houston in February and the Houston ship channel expansion – project 11 - witnessed a USD 142,5 million federal share for construction of segment 3 of this infrastructure project. (sh)