IN the first quarter of 2024, Port Houston experienced a significant surge in container volumes by handling 1.07 million TEU, marking a 15 per cent increase compared to the same period last year.

The month of March, in particular, witnessed remarkable container volumes at Port Houston, reaching 360,991 TEU, a notable 20 per cent rise compared to March 2023, making it the port's busiest March on record, reports Greece's Container News.

The boost in consumer spending on items such as furniture and appliances contributed to a notable increase in loaded import volumes, which soared by 23 per cent in March compared to the same month last year, and by 14 per cent year-to-date. Loaded export volumes, primarily consisting of resins, also saw a considerable uptick, rising by 12 per cent in March and 15 per cent for the year, with a total of 404,124 TEU handled year-to-date.

"The improvements we continue to make at our facilities, combined with a committed workforce, have allowed us to efficiently handle the double-digit growth in both imports and exports during the first quarter. Our customers can count on us to continue to invest in the infrastructure and people we need to move their cargo quickly through our terminals as demand increases," stated Roger Guenther, executive director at Port Houston.

Also, the vessel 'Happy Diamond' recently transported six hybrid-electric rubber-tyred gantry (RTG) cranes to the Bayport Container Terminal, part of a series of RTG deliveries slated for Port Houston terminals this year. These RTG cranes offer significant environmental benefits compared to diesel models, with a 90 per cent reduction in emissions of NOx, PM, HC, and CO.

In addition to the delivery of RTGs, three new STS cranes are anticipated to arrive at Port Houston this summer, bringing the total for the year to 32 STS cranes and 147 RTGs across both facilities.