Port of Houston Authority CEO Alec G. Dreyer highlighted on Thursday increases in the Port Authority's container tonnages, steel tonnages and ship arrivals in October.
Dreyer noted that while the 2010 container TEU level is relatively flat (up 1 percent through October), the Port Authority is handling more loaded containers, and more 20-ft. containers than 40-ft. boxes. He also added that year-to-date container revenue is up 11 percent compared to the same 10-month period in 2009, and container tonnage is up 7 percent for the ten-month year-to-date period.
October was a strong month for steel as the Port Authority handled 312,000 net tons (nt) - nearly twice the level of October 2009. Export steel shipments totaled 89,000 nt, the highest level since 1981. Dreyer predicted, "if November and December are good, the Port Authority will achieve parity with its 2009 steel level."
Ship arrivals at Port Authority facilities this year through October are 4 percent higher than the same 10-month period in 2009, and barge traffic has been strong all year - up 13 percent in October and 18 percent overall for 2010 compared to 2009.