{
  "id": 16842777,
  "title": "Port Houston container volumes jump 11% as imports surge in September",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/28/port-houston-container-volumes-jump-11-as-imports-surge-in-september",
  "topic": "business",
  "section": "Business",
  "published": "2026-10-28T03:17:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "FreightWaves",
    "slug": "freightwaves",
    "url": "https://www.freightwaves.com/news/port-houston-container-volumes-jump-11-as-imports-surge-in-september"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Port Houston saw an 11% increase in container volumes in September 2026, driven by a surge in imports and improved exports through its Bayport and Barbours Cut terminals. The port handled 376,419 twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) in September, compared to 337,659 TEUs in the same period last year. Loaded container imports rose 16% year over year to 174,189 TEUs, while loaded exports increased 2% to 132,009 TEUs. CEO Charlie Jenkins noted that the port's performance marked a significant improvement after a tough start to the year. Meanwhile, Ryan Mariacher, the port's chief operations officer, said container activity at Bayport and Barbours Cut benefited from stronger import demand, with export volumes beginning to accelerate towards the end of September. Port officials anticipate continued export growth in the near term, potentially supporting additional freight movements through Houston's container terminals. Houston container imports outpaced national trends during the peak shipping season, according to Port Houston's chief commercial officer John Mosley. The port handled 1.56 million TEUs in loaded imports through September, up 6% year to date compared to a weaker national market. Port Houston is actively working with international ocean carriers to increase shipping capacity, improve terminal throughput, and expand services. The port also launched a new container and refrigerated cargo service in September and is negotiating additional services. September statistics showed a 31% increase in empty container exports, to 55,963 TEUs, highlighting the importance of container repositioning. Vessel traffic increased by 10% in September, with 750 vessel movements at public terminals, up from 681 a year earlier. Barge activity also rose by 23%, with 181 movements compared to 181 in the same period last year. The higher vessel activity contributed to a 15% increase in total revenue tonnage at the port's public terminals, reaching 4.88 million tons year to date.",
  "summary": "Port Houston saw rising imports and improving exports in September, helping lift container activity at the Gulf Coast gateway. The post Port Houston container volumes jump 11% as imports surge in September appeared first on FreightWaves .",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}