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Released November 26, 2025 | SUGAR LAND
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Written by Danny Levin, Deputy Editor for Industrial Info Resources (Sugar Land, Texas)
"Container volumes for the year are up 6%, and that puts us firmly on track for our strongest container performance in history," Port Houston Chief Executive Officer Charlie Jenkins said in a November 20 press release.
"Nearly all commodities handled at Port Houston's terminals saw gains this month and we are in a great position as we near the end of the year, which is a remarkable accomplishment given the uncertainty in our industry throughout much of the year," Jenkins added.
Loaded exports in October were up 42% for the month and 10% year-to-date, driven by Houston's "dynamic petrochemical and manufacturing sectors." Loaded imports increased by 8% in October and are up 3% so far this year.
Chief Port Operations Officer Ryan Mariacher echoed that sentiment in the port's November 11 commission meeting: "Exports continue to drive our growth ... There is still a lot of doubt in the market, especially on the import side, but Houston continues to prove its resilient in the market."
In October, the port finished widening the channel by 170 feet along its Galveston Bay reach, from 530 feet to 700 feet, improving two-way vessel movement and operational efficiency for larger ships.
Now, vessels of up to 15,000-17,000 TEUs--"matching the capacity of the Panama Canal"--can call Port Houston's Bayport Container Terminal home. An expansion at the Barbours Cut Container Terminal is scheduled to be completed in 2027, at which time it will be able to receive similarly large vessels. All remaining segments of Project 11 will be completed by the USACE, with final work expected in 2029.
Subscribers to Industrial Info's Global Market Intelligence (GMI) Project Database can view a full list of projects that are tied to Project 11.
"Port Houston is committed to maritime economic development, and this expansion positions Houston's port for the next era of growth, empowers our region, helps secure jobs, and strengthens the economic foundation that millions of Texans depend on," Jenkins said in the recent press release.
The Andersons Incorporated (Maumee, Ohio) is in the process of expanding its Galena Park Grain Export Terminal located at Port Houston. The project will expand the facility's capacity to support the storage of up to 22,000 tons of soybean meal for export. Additional upgrades include a new conveyance system to transport goods from storage to the ship loaders, as well as a new ship loading tower to increase the efficiency and speed of loading. Work is expected to wrap up next year.
The terminal, which can unload rail and truck and load vessels, is capable of storing 6.3 million bushels of grain and exporting more than 2 million tons of grain per year.
Subscribers can read the project report for more information.
Industrial Info is tracking $14.6 billion worth of industrial projects in the Greater Houston area--which covers 10,000 square miles across nine counties--that are under construction. See a full list of detailed reports.
Key Takeaways
About Industrial Info Resources
Industrial Info Resources (IIR) is the leading provider of industrial market intelligence. Since 1983, IIR has provided comprehensive research, news and analysis on the industrial process, manufacturing and energy related industries. IIR's Global Market Intelligence (GMI) platform helps companies identify and pursue trends across multiple markets with access to real, qualified and validated plant and project opportunities. Across the world, IIR is tracking more than 200,000 current and future projects worth $17.8 trillion (USD).
Summary
Port Houston's October container volumes were up both for the month and year-over-year, which comes as the port is investing to expand import and export cargo capacity.Port Houston's October Cargo Volumes
Port Houston handled 365,773 twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) in October, up 18% compared to the same month in 2024."Container volumes for the year are up 6%, and that puts us firmly on track for our strongest container performance in history," Port Houston Chief Executive Officer Charlie Jenkins said in a November 20 press release.
"Nearly all commodities handled at Port Houston's terminals saw gains this month and we are in a great position as we near the end of the year, which is a remarkable accomplishment given the uncertainty in our industry throughout much of the year," Jenkins added.
Loaded exports in October were up 42% for the month and 10% year-to-date, driven by Houston's "dynamic petrochemical and manufacturing sectors." Loaded imports increased by 8% in October and are up 3% so far this year.
Chief Port Operations Officer Ryan Mariacher echoed that sentiment in the port's November 11 commission meeting: "Exports continue to drive our growth ... There is still a lot of doubt in the market, especially on the import side, but Houston continues to prove its resilient in the market."
Port Houston Builds Out Cargo Handling Capacity
Port Houston also provided an update on its major infrastructure investments, including Project 11--an expansion designed to support the export of commodities from the Houston Ship Channel. The project is led by Port Houston and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE).In October, the port finished widening the channel by 170 feet along its Galveston Bay reach, from 530 feet to 700 feet, improving two-way vessel movement and operational efficiency for larger ships.
Now, vessels of up to 15,000-17,000 TEUs--"matching the capacity of the Panama Canal"--can call Port Houston's Bayport Container Terminal home. An expansion at the Barbours Cut Container Terminal is scheduled to be completed in 2027, at which time it will be able to receive similarly large vessels. All remaining segments of Project 11 will be completed by the USACE, with final work expected in 2029.
Subscribers to Industrial Info's Global Market Intelligence (GMI) Project Database can view a full list of projects that are tied to Project 11.
"Port Houston is committed to maritime economic development, and this expansion positions Houston's port for the next era of growth, empowers our region, helps secure jobs, and strengthens the economic foundation that millions of Texans depend on," Jenkins said in the recent press release.
The Andersons Incorporated (Maumee, Ohio) is in the process of expanding its Galena Park Grain Export Terminal located at Port Houston. The project will expand the facility's capacity to support the storage of up to 22,000 tons of soybean meal for export. Additional upgrades include a new conveyance system to transport goods from storage to the ship loaders, as well as a new ship loading tower to increase the efficiency and speed of loading. Work is expected to wrap up next year.
The terminal, which can unload rail and truck and load vessels, is capable of storing 6.3 million bushels of grain and exporting more than 2 million tons of grain per year.
Subscribers can read the project report for more information.
Industrial Info is tracking $14.6 billion worth of industrial projects in the Greater Houston area--which covers 10,000 square miles across nine counties--that are under construction. See a full list of detailed reports.
Key Takeaways
- Port Houston's October container volume jumped compared with last month and October 2024, largely due to exports
- The port's investments to expand cargo handling capacity include a major expansion of the Houston Ship Channel, known as Project 11
- The Greater Houston area is a hub of industrial activity
About Industrial Info Resources
Industrial Info Resources (IIR) is the leading provider of industrial market intelligence. Since 1983, IIR has provided comprehensive research, news and analysis on the industrial process, manufacturing and energy related industries. IIR's Global Market Intelligence (GMI) platform helps companies identify and pursue trends across multiple markets with access to real, qualified and validated plant and project opportunities. Across the world, IIR is tracking more than 200,000 current and future projects worth $17.8 trillion (USD).
