On Thursday, the Port Authority of Houston reported that the ports recorded the highest volume of container TEUs and largest amount of container tonnage in its history, at 17.7 million tons and just under 1.9 million TEUs, and its 2nd highest total tonnage ever, less than 1 percent below its all-time record set in 2008. In addition, operating revenue for the Port Authority set a new record at $204 million, besting the previous one set in 2008.
Barge traffic finished the year 8 percent ahead of 2010. For the year, ship arrivals for the Port Authority were up 1 percent. Container TEU volumes were up 1 percent in December and finished the year 3 percent ahead of 2010. Container tonnage was up 4 percent for the year.
In spite of a much lower level of ship arrivals at the Turning Basin terminals, steel totaled 263,000 tons in December compared to 249,000 tons in December 2010. For the year, steel was up 58 percent, with an annual total of 4.3 million tons compared to 2.7 million tons in 2010.
Container revenue finished the year up 8 percent over prior year. Turning Basin revenue was up 24 percent for the year as a direct result of the significant increase in steel volumes.