As Port Houston closes out another year, port facilities continue to deliver solid results. Executive Director Roger Guenther reported that main drivers of the port’s growth include containers and steel imports.

“Steel volumes continue to trend upward, totaling 3.4 million tons, reflecting a 57 percent increase compared to the same period last year,” remarked Guenther at a public meeting Dec. 12.

“We expect to pass the 2.4 million TEU container mark by the end of this year,” Guenther added. He noted this milestone achievement for the port considering challenges including loss of time and labor hours due to the impact of Hurricane Harvey.

It was only two years ago that the port eclipsed the two million container TEU mark.

Through November, port terminals have handled nearly 35 million tons of cargo versus 32 million tons for the same time period last year, which is a 9 percent increase over 2016.

“Our financial results are solidly in line as well with the operational performance of our Port facilities,” Guenther said.