Port Houston sustained growth in August, with total tonnage across its public terminals increasing by 5% year-to-date through August 2025. This growth follows a strong July and reflects consistent performance across several cargo sectors.
Container and Cargo Volumes
The Port’s container terminals handled 370,430 twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) in August, a 1% increase compared to August 2024. Year-to-date container volumes are up 5%, reaching nearly 3 million TEUs. The Port’s loaded import containers increased by 4% year-over-year, while loaded exports rose by 5%, primarily driven by resins.
While they represent a smaller portion of overall business, some cargo types saw significant growth in August:
- Grain volume was up by 173% year-over-year.
- Imported bagged goods surged by 901% compared to August 2024.
Additionally, general cargo volumes increased by 10% year-to-date through August. Although steel imports dipped by 4% in August, they remain 7% ahead year-to-date compared to 2024.
Port and Ship Channel Activity
The Houston Ship Channel, which is the nation’s busiest waterway, saw 692 deep draft vessel calls in August. This brought the year-to-date total to 5,415 arrivals. The Channel serves as a critical backbone for U.S. energy, manufacturing, and agriculture.
Port Houston is also set to host several key industry events, including:
- Breakbulk Americas in October
- Fleet Week Houston, celebrating the U.S. Navy’s 250th anniversary in November
- The fourth annual Houston International Maritime Conference (HIMC25) in November
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Source: Port Houston
