Trade Statistics

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Port of Houston Authority

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Houston is a vibrant, growing, international city fueled by trade, which certainly shows in the Port of Houston Authority’s trade statistics. Use this page to learn more about the Port of Houston and its global connections. In-depth statistics are available near bottom of page.

Port of Houston Statistical Highlights

1st ranked US port in foreign tonnage
2nd ranked US port in total tonnage
7th ranked US container port by total TEUs in 2012
Largest Texas port with 46% of market share by tonnage
Largest Texas container port with 96% market share in containers by total TEUs in 2012
Largest Gulf Coast container port, handling 67% of US Gulf Coast container traffic in 2012
2nd ranked US port in terms of cargo value (based on CBP Customs port definitions)

Sources: PHA Market Development, USACE Navigation Data Center, American Association of Port Authorities, Journal of Commerce/PIERS, Customs Data from Census Bureau via USATradeOnline.com

Latest Monthly PHA Container TEUs - All Container Moves Incl. APM Houston

Houston TEUs*	March 2013	Feb 2013	% Change	YTD March 2013	YTD March 2012	% Change
Loaded Imports	49,696	44,664	11.3%	141,291	136,046	3.9%
Loaded Exports	82,931	71,951	15.3%	227,893	208,886	9.1%
Loaded Total	132,627	116,615	13.7%	369,184	344,932	7.0%
Empty Imports	25,254	29,916	-15.6%	85,898	80,352	6.9%
Empty Exports	9,801	6,753	45.1%	24,827	28,259	-12.1%
Empty Total	35,055	36,669	-4.4%	110,725	108,611	1.9%
Total	167,682	153,284	9.4%	479,909	453,543	5.8%

Source: PHA Accounting, PHA Market Development
*PHA containers only. Chart last updated April 23, 2013

Statistical Data in Depth (PDF)

Container Volume TEU stats in depth
PHA container volumes by month in detail (updated monthly)

Container Volume by Trade Lanes stats
PHA's container trade volumes by trade lane (i.e. by region)

Container Volume by Country stats
PHA's container trade volumes by country

Container Volume by Commodity stats
PHA's container trade volumes by commodity

Cargo Tonnage stats
PHA's cargo tonnage by trade type (container, bulk, general cargo/breakbulk)

Comparative Statistics
Monthly summary of total PHA performance

Questions and Comments?
Please email questions and comments about Port of Houston Authority statistics to PHA Market Development here.

The documents are available in Adobe Portable Document Format (PDF). If you do not have Adobe Acrobat Reader, you may obtain a free copy of the software.

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The Port of Houston Authority

111 East Loop North
Houston, Texas USA 77029
Phone: 713-670-2400

P.O. Box 2562
Houston, Texas USA 77252-2562

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The Port of Houston handles about 70 percent of all the containerized cargo in the U.S. Gulf of Mexico. The Port of Houston Authority’s container handling facilities are among the finest in the nation, providing efficient and cost-effective service.

The general cargo terminals of the Port of Houston Authority can handle any type of cargo a ship or barge might bring. From grain to steel to refinery parts to locomotives to wind turbines and blades, nothing is too difficult for the general cargo terminals to handle.

The Port of Houston has grown into one of the world’s busiest ports through the cultivation of clients and tenants from throughout the world. Developing new lines of business and customers requires the service and attention to detail that the Port Authority’s staff excels in.

The Port of Houston is an economic engine that produces jobs and economic prosperity for the local and state economy. Throughout its history, whenever the port has grown, Houston has grown. Someone once wisely pointed out that Houston is “the town that built the port that built the city.

The Port of Houston is vital to the local, state and national economy. Maintaining and improving the public facilities ensures the continued economic impact of the port. Keeping the port secure so that business can flow freely is also an essential responsibility.

The Port of Houston Authority is committed to continuing an ongoing dialog with the many communities surrounding the Houston Ship Channel.

The Port of Houston Authority is committed to financial transparency and has earned a Gold Leadership Circle Award.

The Bayport Cruise Terminal, located in the city of Pasadena Texas, just outside of Houston offers a one-of-a-kind experience from an exciting home port city for cruise travelers looking for efficient and world-class services before and after their cruise.