SIMIC

A total of 371,994 TEU were handled during the month, a 13 per cent increase compared to October 2021. Loaded container TEU reached the highest volume ever and were up 21 per cent compared to the same month last year.

Overall, container volume is up 18 per cent year-to-date at Port Houston¡¯s terminals and has surpassed the 3M mark thus far, with 3,333,924 TEU.

"Although the import demand in the US appears to be softening, we have not seen any slowing in Houston in recent months," said port executive director Roger Guenther.

"We are handling record amounts of cargo and remain focused on aggressive infrastructure development to optimise capacity and efficiently handle current and future demand through our port," he said.

One change that was announced last month is the addition of new dwell fees. A sustained import dwell fee is expected to be implemented early next year to address long-term container dwell.

Total tonnage across Port Houston¡¯s facilities was up 18 per cent in October and 25 per cent for the year as compared to last year. Goods with significant increases for the month included bagged goods, at 239 per cent up, and plywood at 73 per cent.

Auto imports were up 61 per cent for the month in October 2022 and nine per cent year-to-date. Steel imports were down this month for the first time since June 2021. Steel volume has been strong this year, and annual steel tonnage could reach the highest quantities seen at Port Houston in more than five years.