Port Traffic Metrics: Houston, Mexico

Resilient Container Volume at the Port of Houston Authority

The Port of Houston Authority held steady during the first six months of 2016. "Container volume continues to be very resilient, topping well over one million TEUs through the first six months of the year," said Executive Director Roger Guenther in his July 26 report to Houston Port Commission.

"It’s tough to compare 2016 versus 2015 on the container side," he added, "because at this point last year container volume had spiked at an 18% increase over the prior year." In 2015, the port authority handled a record 2 million plus TEUs.

Though down 4.0 percent from January–June 2015, container "activity has exceeded our expectations for the year thus far," said Mr. Guenther, who expressed optimism "about the second half of 2016, with the traction already gained in the East Asia trade."

Overall, port authority facilities handled some 17 million tons of cargo during the first half of the year.

Mexico: First Half 2016 Gains for Exports, Imports and Cruise Traffic

Mexico’s port system processed nearly 144.2 million metric tons of cargo during first half 2016, about the same as last year, according to preliminary data reported by Coordinación General de Puertos y Marina Mercante.

Imports accounted for 52.1 million tons ( 9.1 percent), exports for 59.5 million tons ( 0.7 percent) and domestic shipments for 32.5 million tons (-13.6 percent).

The data reveal double-digit growth for agribulks, modest gains for petroleum and a slight increase for containerized cargo. Other data point to heightened cruise activity and declines in breakbulk cargo, bulk minerals, container TEUs, ship arrivals, and auto exports and imports.