Through the first quarter of 2015, loaded container units increased by 24 percent over 2014 at the Port of Houston, according to a report released Tuesday. Import steel continues to exceed projections, up by more than 66 percent for the year, the report said, adding that steel increases are expected to taper off over the next several months.
Specifically, the Houston Port Authority’s Barbours Cut and Bayport container terminals were particularly busy in March. A combined 40 percent more loaded containers were handled in March, compared to a year ago. The record amounts of freight were moved despite issues associated with a ship channel closure earlier in the month, and the report lauded the collaborative effort, led by US Coast Guard in the response and recovery resulting from the collision that caused the closure.