April 27, 2026
Port Houston handled 391,037 TEUs in March, up 1% compared to the same month last year. Loaded imports increased 7% for the month and 4% year-to-date, driven in part by strong demand for refrigerated cargo and retail consumer goods such as furniture.
Loaded exports declined 6% compared to March 2025 but are still up 1% year-to-date, with resin volumes expected to strengthen in the second quarter, supporting loaded export growth.
At Port Houston's multipurpose facilities bulk cargos were strong, with dry bulk up 107% and liquid bulk up 23% in March compared to March 2025, reflecting higher volumes of grain and industrial commodities moving through the region.
Steel import volumes declined 29% for both the month and year-to-date, a result of broader market conditions, including softer demand from the energy sector as drilling activity moderates, consistent with recent U.S. rig count trends.
Port Houston surpassed 1 million twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) in the first quarter of 2026, reaching 1,087,870 TEUs, up 2% over 2025's record-breaking year. Total tonnage across Port Houston's public facilities was up 5% in the first quarter, totaling 13,897,479 short tons.
Source: Port Houston