HOUSTON – October 21, 2026 – Trade activity across the Houston Ship Channel region continues to grow, with foreign tonnage exports increasing 24% in August and deep-draft vessel traffic rising 9% in September. Underscoring its role in connecting American businesses and industries to global markets, the Houston Ship Channel region handled 22.3 million tons of foreign cargo in August, an 18% increase year over year.
At Port Houston's public terminals, container volume increased 11% in September to 376,419 twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs), with loaded imports rising 16%.
Steel cargo increased 157% year over year in September to 581,035 tons, driven by a 181% surge in steel imports. This was Port Houston's biggest month for steel since May 2022, and the growth highlights the movement of materials essential to construction, manufacturing, and energy infrastructure.
"From the clothes on store shelves to the materials used in construction and energy projects, the goods moving through the Houston Ship Channel touch nearly every aspect of our daily lives," said Charlie Jenkins, CEO of Port Houston. "Behind every shipment are the people and businesses that keep our economy moving. At the end of the day, our purpose is simple: to support jobs and drive economic prosperity across our region."
• Regional trade: The Houston Ship Channel region handled 22.3 million tons of foreign cargo in August, up 18% year over year, with exports increasing 24%.
• Vessel activity: September deep-draft vessel transits increased 9%, while barge transits rose 11% compared to the same month last year.
• Container activity: Port Houston handled a total of 376,419 TEUs in September, up 11%, with loaded imports increasing 16%.
• What's moving: Through August, containerized imports of apparel and accessories rose 27%, resins and plastics increased 11%, and machinery, appliances, and electronics grew 9%.
• Steel cargo: Port Houston's public terminals handled 581,035 tons of steel in September, a 157% increase over the same month last year, driven largely by a 181% increase in steel imports.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau data released October 6, 2026
| Tonnage (Short Tons) | August 2026 | August 2025 | Change % | 2026 YTD | 2025 YTD | Change % |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Export | 17,758,844 | 14,320,043 | ↑ 24% | 143,230,189 | 118,359,926 | ↑ 21% |
| Import | 4,553,688 | 4,552,671 | 0% | 34,646,691 | 35,905,545 | ↓ 4% |
| Total Tonnage | 22,312,532 | 18,872,714 | ↑ 18% | 177,876,880 | 154,265,471 | ↑ 15% |
Source: Greater Houston Port Bureau's Marine Exchange of Texas released October 7, 2026
| Vessel Traffic | September 2026 | September 2025 | Change % | 2026 YTD | 2025 YTD | Change % |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total Deep Draft Transits | 1,596 | 1,460 | ↑ 9% | 14,062 | 13,060 | ↑ 8% |
| Total Barge Transits | 18,819 | 16,970 | ↑ 11% | 168,346 | 157,045 | ↑ 7% |
Source: Port Houston
| Cargo Category | September 2026 | September 2025 | Change % | 2026 YTD | 2025 YTD | Change % |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Loaded Imports (TEUs) | 174,189 | 150,526 | ↑ 16% | 1,561,680 | 1,471,360 | ↑ 6% |
| Loaded Exports (TEUs) | 132,009 | 129,067 | ↑ 2% | 1,193,860 | 1,203,833 | ↓ 1% |
| Total Containers (TEUs) | 376,419 | 337,659 | ↑ 11% | 3,349,547 | 3,270,595 | ↑ 2% |
| Steel Imports (Tons) | 539,993 | 192,351 | ↑ 181% | 3,248,614 | 3,224,267 | ↑ 1% |
| Steel (Tons) | 581,035 | 226,474 | ↑ 157% | 3,450,634 | 3,425,204 | ↑ 1% |
| Total Tonnage (Tons) | 4,881,424 | 4,259,026 | ↑ 15% | 42,374,885 | 41,593,972 | ↑ 2% |
