Container activity at Port Houston’s Barbours Cut and Bayport facilities increased by 22 percent over the month of September, according to Port Houston’s Executive Director Roger Guenther.
All port facilities handled a total of 28.8 million tons of cargo year-to-date, which represented a 9 percent increase over the same time period in 2016.
Container volume recorded an 11 percent increase compared to last year while container volume in September 2017 alone surpassed 1.8 million twenty foot equivalent units (TEUs).
Guenther added that terminal operations have recovered “very well” in the wake of Hurricane Harvey.
“We anticipated that we would receive most of the cargo that was initially diverted following the
storm…and we did,” Guenther said.
Additionally, general cargo facilities handled approximately 400,000 tons of steel, which, according to Guenther, was a large volume as the port caught up for the week of time lost due to the storm. He added that the port’s results remained strong overall for the year.
Recently, the port received delivery of three super post-panamax wharf cranes, which are part of a $700 million modernization program underway at the terminal to further its cargo handling efficiency and capacity.
Port Commission Chairwoman Janiece Longoria praised the efforts by industry and port employees following the aftermath of the hurricane and formally acknowledged relief funds donated by South Carolina Ports employees and the Association of Port Authorities Port Employee Relief Fund.
Port Houston employees were also recognized for their donation of approximately $120,000 to the Employee Catastrophic Assistance Fund to help fellow employees who were adversely impacted by the storm.