Dec 13, 2017   SOURCE: BusinessWire

Port Houston Continues to Deliver Solid Results

Port Houston terminals handled nearly 35 million tons of cargo through November, representing a nine percent increase versus the same period last year, Executive Director Roger Guenther announced in his report to the Port Commission of the Port of Houston Authority today, during the last regular Port Commission meeting of 2017. The main drivers for this growth include containers and steel imports, he noted.

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

Container activity remains solid, showing a growth of 14 percent year on year. “We expect to pass the 2.4 million TEU container mark by the end of this year,” Guenther added. He noted this was a milestone achievement for the port, especially considering challenges including loss of time and labor hours due to the impact of Hurricane Harvey.

Actions taken by the Port Commission included approval to reissue and amend Port Authority Tariffs Nos. 8, 14 and 15, covering the Turning Basin Terminal, Barbours Cut Terminal and Bayport Container Terminal, all effective Jan. 1, 2018. The commission also approved amending Port Houston’s agreement with Konecranes Finland, to purchase one more diesel electronic yard crane, bringing to a total of 10 the number of new yard cranes headed to Bayport Container Terminal.

During the meeting, Port Commission Chairman Janiece Longoria announced Texas Comptroller Glenn Hegar had awarded Port Houston its third Transparency Star for its reporting practices and online tools associated with Port Houston’s Pension Plan, following two stars awarded in December 2016 for Traditional Finances and Debt Obligations. Earlier this year, the Texas Public Interest Research Group also recognized Port Houston as the top-ranked special district for online financial transparency, out of 79 special districts across the country.

Finally, the Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA) awarded Port Houston its 43rd consecutive Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting for its 2016 Comprehensive Annual Financial Report (CAFR). This certificate is the highest form of recognition in the area of government accounting and financial reporting.

The next regular Port Commission meeting is scheduled Jan. 30, 2018.

About Port Houston

For more than 100 years, the port has owned and operated the public wharves and terminals of the Port of Houston – the nation’s largest port for foreign waterborne tonnage and an essential economic engine for the Houston region, the state of Texas, and the nation. It supports the creation of nearly 1.175 million jobs in Texas and 2.7 million jobs nationwide, and economic activity totaling almost $265 billion in Texas – 16 percent of Texas’ total gross domestic product – and more than $617 billion in economic impact across the nation. For more information, visit Port Houston’s website at: www.porthouston.com.