- Port Houston handled 381,640 TEUs in May 2025, marking a 5% year-over-year increase.
- General cargo rose 12% and steel imports increased by 11% year-to-date.
- New initiatives like the Express Pass system and cloud-based EVP platform are streamlining operations and improving transparency.
- Project 11, the final phase of the Houston Ship Channel Expansion, is set to be completed this summer.
Port Houston continues to show consistent growth, with the port handling 381,640 twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) in May—a 5% increase compared to the same month last year. Year-to-date, container volumes have reached nearly 1.84 million TEUs, marking a 4% rise over 2023 levels. The port also reported a 1% increase in both loaded imports and exports, highlighting stable trade activity. Additionally, general cargo and steel imports have seen double-digit growth, while total tonnage across public facilities has risen by 2% through May.
Improving Efficiency and Transparency Across Port Operations
To support its ongoing growth, Port Houston is advancing several operational upgrades aimed at improving efficiency, transparency, and customer service. One major initiative is the full implementation of the Express Pass program, introduced in late 2024. This truck appointment system helps streamline gate operations by managing traffic before arrival and creating a more predictable terminal environment. Efforts are currently underway to expand its appointment and time-slot features for even greater control and flow.
The Port has also launched the Execution and Visibility Platform (EVP), a cloud-based API system that delivers real-time operational data. Covering endpoints such as vessel schedules, inventory, and road services, EVP allows users to subscribe to updates and make informed decisions across the logistics chain. This platform reflects Port Houston’s focus on transparency and delivering top-tier service.
Port Houston CEO Charlie Jenkins emphasized the value of these developments, noting that each stage in the cargo movement process—from waterway to roadway—is being optimized. He highlighted EVP’s role in helping customers reduce inefficiencies by giving them better access to their own cargo data.
Further investment is on the horizon, including the completion of Project 11—the final Port-led segment of the Houston Ship Channel Expansion—expected later this summer. These infrastructure and technology upgrades position Port Houston to remain a key economic driver and a leader in supply chain reliability.
Over the past decade, Port Houston’s container terminals have experienced the fastest growth among major U.S. ports. The Houston Ship Channel also retained its top spot as the busiest waterway in the country, with over 309 million short tons of cargo moved in 2023, according to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.
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Source: Port Houston
