THE Port of houston has had the highest number of containers crossing its docks in a single month as US imports increasingly shift from west to Gulf and east coast ports via Panama, reports Ventura, California's gCaptain.
Port Houston reports that total container volume in August came in at 382,842 TEU, which is 20 per cent more than the same month last year and 14 per cent, or 47,476 TEU, over Houston's previous all-time record month set in May 2022.
August's loaded container imports reached 180,132 TEU, for 13 per cent increase year on year. In total, Port Houston has handled 2,608,405 TEU year-to-date, 17 per cent up on last year's record numbers.
US Gulf and east coast ports have been picking up volumes as importers have diverted cargo away from the US west coast to avoid the possibility of worsening congestion and as a hedge against a breakdown of labour talks between west coast dockers and port employers.
The shifting cargo volumes have led to huge gains for ports such as New York/New Jersey, Savannah and Houston, while west coast ports like the Long Beach and Los Angeles are starting to see year-over-year monthly declines, albeit year-to-date cargo throughput is still at or near last year's all-time records.
The growth seen at Port Houston is outpacing that of other major US container ports. According to the National Retail Federation's Global Port Tracker Report, Houston's import volumes were up a nation-leading 21.4 per cent year-to-date through July.
This compares to gains of 10.7 per cent in New York/New Jersey, 14.1 per cent in Charleston, five per cent in Savannah, while Los Angeles/Long Beach have only seen volumes increase 1.1 per cent over the same period. Overall, US imports were up 4.1 per cent through July, the NRF's report showed.
Similar to Houston, Savannah also reported its busiest month ever in August with total throughput up more than 18 per cent. Meanwhile, imports last month through Long Beach fell 5.6 per cent, while next door Los Angeles saw imports fall 17 per cent.
Unfortunately, the unprecedented influx of cargo does not come without its problems. Import dwell times at Port Houston's Bayport and Barbours Cut terminals have doubled to now six days on average, compared to two or three in the past. Backups are also up in NY/NJ and Savannah.
To reduce congestion issue, Port Houston has begun offering Saturday gate hours so importers can retrieve their containers an extra day per week. Officials are also exploring fines for overstaying containers.
Said Port Houston executive director Roger Guenther:
Port Houston reports that total container volume in August came in at 382,842 TEU, which is 20 per cent more than the same month last year and 14 per cent, or 47,476 TEU, over Houston's previous all-time record month set in May 2022.
August's loaded container imports reached 180,132 TEU, for 13 per cent increase year on year. In total, Port Houston has handled 2,608,405 TEU year-to-date, 17 per cent up on last year's record numbers.
US Gulf and east coast ports have been picking up volumes as importers have diverted cargo away from the US west coast to avoid the possibility of worsening congestion and as a hedge against a breakdown of labour talks between west coast dockers and port employers.
The shifting cargo volumes have led to huge gains for ports such as New York/New Jersey, Savannah and Houston, while west coast ports like the Long Beach and Los Angeles are starting to see year-over-year monthly declines, albeit year-to-date cargo throughput is still at or near last year's all-time records.
The growth seen at Port Houston is outpacing that of other major US container ports. According to the National Retail Federation's Global Port Tracker Report, Houston's import volumes were up a nation-leading 21.4 per cent year-to-date through July.
This compares to gains of 10.7 per cent in New York/New Jersey, 14.1 per cent in Charleston, five per cent in Savannah, while Los Angeles/Long Beach have only seen volumes increase 1.1 per cent over the same period. Overall, US imports were up 4.1 per cent through July, the NRF's report showed.
Similar to Houston, Savannah also reported its busiest month ever in August with total throughput up more than 18 per cent. Meanwhile, imports last month through Long Beach fell 5.6 per cent, while next door Los Angeles saw imports fall 17 per cent.
Unfortunately, the unprecedented influx of cargo does not come without its problems. Import dwell times at Port Houston's Bayport and Barbours Cut terminals have doubled to now six days on average, compared to two or three in the past. Backups are also up in NY/NJ and Savannah.
To reduce congestion issue, Port Houston has begun offering Saturday gate hours so importers can retrieve their containers an extra day per week. Officials are also exploring fines for overstaying containers.
Said Port Houston executive director Roger Guenther:
