Port Houston handled 1,087,870 TEUs in the first quarter of 2026, surpassing the one million TEU threshold and representing a 2% increase over the same period in 2025, which was itself a record-breaking year.
Total tonnage across the port’s public facilities rose 5% to 13,897,479 short tons.
March container throughput reached 391,037 TEUs, up 1 percent year-on-year. Loaded imports grew 7% for the month and 4 percent year-to-date, driven by strong demand for refrigerated cargo and retail consumer goods including furniture.
Loaded exports declined 6 percent in March compared to the prior year but remain up 1% year-to-date, with resin volumes expected to strengthen in the second quarter and support export growth.
Bulk cargo performance at the port’s multipurpose facilities was particularly strong in March, with dry bulk up 107 percent and liquid bulk up 23% compared to March 2025, reflecting higher grain and industrial commodity volumes.
Steel imports declined 29% for both the month and year-to-date, reflecting softer demand from the energy sector as drilling activity moderates in line with recent US rig count trends.
Port Houston completed delivery of the final six units of 16 rubber-tired gantry cranes ordered in 2025, bringing the total RTG fleet to 163 units across its Bayport and Barbours Cut container terminals.
Approximately half of the fleet now operates with hybrid-electric technology, reducing air emissions by around 90 percent and COâ‚‚ emissions by 30% compared to conventional diesel equipment.
Vessel calls to private and public facilities along the Houston Ship Channel totalled 2,089 in the first quarter, a 5 percent increase year-on-year, with bulk carrier, LPG and chemical tanker calls all rising.
CEO Charlie Jenkins highlighted the recent completion of dredging on the Port-led segments of the Houston Ship Channel Expansion, known as Project 11, as a key enabler of improved vessel efficiency and transit flexibility across all cargo segments using the channel.
