Port Houston was featured at the East End Chamber of Commerce’s Steel Forum Dec. 11.  The event focused on the steel trade and its impact to the economy. Chief Commercial Officer John Moseley and steel experts with JSW Steel, the American Institute for International Steel and Triple-S Steel Supply Chain Co. served on a panel.

Steel is one of the biggest components in cars, trucks and trains. “Port Houston is the no. 1 port in the United States for foreign waterborne tonnage in part due to products like steel,” said Margaret Kidd, panel moderator and program director for supply chain and logistics technology at the University of Houston.

JSW Steel is the fastest growing steel company in the U.S. with its platemill complex in Baytown. “We have set a standard in Texas,” said John Hritz, president and CEO of JSW Steel, who noted the company imports slab steel through Port Houston.

“Houston is by far the largest steel receiving port in the U.S.,” said John Foster, chairman of the American Institute for International Steel. Panelists all shared that the capacity of steel has increased, and that industry must adjust.

This year, Port Houston has handled more than 3.7 million tons of steel through the end of October, Moseley said. Port Houston also manages one of the busiest foreign trade zones in the country. “We are a very diverse port with a balanced mix of trade lanes,” he added.

The event was held at the Federal Reserve Bank.