Port Houston’s container volumes are down 5 per cent year-to-date (YTD) through February , but general cargo is up 9 per cent, fueled by strong lumber and plywood volumes.
Steel imports dropped 13 per cent in February, though YTD volumes are 1 per cent higher than last year.
Fog disrupted containerised cargo and vessel navigation along the Houston Ship Channel for 14 days in February.
Weather delays caused a 29 per cent reduction in channel availability, up from 2.5 per cent last year.
As a result, Bayport and Barbours Cut Terminals saw 20 fewer vessels in February.
Port Houston handled 325,424 TEUs, a 13 per cent decline year-over-year (YoY), with loaded imports down 14 per cent and exports down 16 per cent.
Charlie Jenkins, CEO of Port Houston, said: “Weather challenges can begreat disruptors for maritime operations, and in February we were hit hard. As with any challenge, we adjust and move forward.
“Our investment in infrastructure at the public terminals and improvements to the Houston Ship Channel remain on track and we are already seeing a cargo rebound in March.”
In January, Port Houston began the year with 356,407 TEUs, representing a 7 per cent increase over the same month last year.