Port Houston September Container Volumes Rise 11% on Import Surge

Port Houston's container volumes rose 11% year over year in September, driven by stronger imports and improving exports at its Bayport and Barbours Cut terminals. The port handled 376,419 TEUs, up from 337,659 a year earlier, according to figures presented at the Oct. 21 Port Commission meeting. Loaded imports climbed 16% to 174,189 TEUs, while loaded exports edged up 2% to 132,009 TEUs. Through the first nine months of 2026, the port moved 3.35 million TEUs, a 2% increase from 3.27 million a year earlier. CEO Charlie Jenkins said September marked a significant improvement after a difficult start to the year. Port officials said Houston is outperforming national import trends, citing National Retail Federation Port Tracker data. Steel imports surged 181% to 539,993 tons, the port's strongest monthly steel performance since May 2022. Vessel movements rose 10% to 750, and total revenue tonnage increased 15% to 4.88 million tons.