The Gulf Coast ports recorded a variety of shipments in April

Container traffic increased at Port Houston in April, whereas the Port of Corpus Christi in Texas and New Orleans experienced minor decreases.

Port Houston had a 5% increase in container volumes in April

In April, Port Houston managed 324,177 twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs), marking a 5% year-over-year (y/y) rise compared to April 2023. Year to date, the port has handled 1.4 million TEUs, reflecting an 18% y/y increase.

During the monthly commission meeting on Friday, Roger Guenther, Port Houston's executive director, remarked on the robust container volumes for the first quarter of 2024, highlighting significant strength in both import and export loaded containers.

Loaded container TEU imports saw a 4% y/y increase to 146,910 in April, while loaded container exports grew by 8% y/y to 119,302 TEUs. Year to date, loaded container imports rose by 12% y/y to 632,886 TEUs, and loaded exports increased by 14% y/y to 523,426 TEUs. The surge in exports is credited to the demand for regionally manufactured automotive, furniture, cotton, and plastic resin goods.

According to port officials, shippers utilizing Port Houston's container facilities are experiencing heightened demand for imported goods, surpassing their initial expectations. Guenther mentioned that the National Retail Federation, representing retailers importing cargo, particularly from Asia, anticipates continued strength in imports for the remainder of the year.

In April, total import tonnage at Port Houston declined by 15% y/y to 2.4 million tons, with an 8% month-to-month decrease. Conversely, the port's total export tonnage increased by 11% y/y to 2.5 million tons, although it experienced a 10% month-to-month decline.

Port Houston operates the Bayport and Barbours Cut Container Terminals, along with the Turning Basin Multi-Purpose facilities. Guenther noted that while multipurpose and general cargo facilities at Turning Basin experienced a downturn, this cyclical trend is not uncommon. Additionally, fuel volumes decreased slightly.

Steel imports surged by 35% y/y in April to 289,331 tons, while other commodities such as fertilizer, molasses, and tallow also showed gains.

Vessel calls at Port Houston totaled 693 in April, marking a 1% y/y increase from 2023. However, barge calls declined by 13% y/y to 308 for the month.

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The container volume at the Port of New Orleans decreased in April

In April, the container volume at the Port of New Orleans declined by 6.5% year-over-year to 41,802 twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs). Breakbulk cargo amounted to 114,354 short tons during the same period, reflecting a significant 29% year-over-year decrease compared to April 2023.

According to port officials, key containerized exports comprised plastic resins and various chemicals, while imports included coffee and wood products. Kimberly Curth, spokesperson for the Port of New Orleans, highlighted an increase in breakbulk imports, primarily propelled by steel and bagged cargo. Breakbulk volume in April surged by 39% from March, largely due to a rise in bagged cargo such as cement and rubber. Curth also noted positive trends in project cargo, showing a 5% year-over-year growth, and lumber, which emerged in August.

For the fiscal year to date, Port of New Orleans container volumes reached 419,432 TEUs, indicating a 12% year-over-year increase. The port's fiscal year spans from July 1 to June 30. Curth stated that loaded imports grew by approximately 3% year over year, while loaded exports saw a more than 8% year-over-year increase. Additionally, import empties for the fiscal year to date surged by almost 33% year over year.

In April, the port recorded 32 vessel calls.

Crude oil exports drop at Port of Corpus Christi

In April, the Port of Corpus Christi experienced a 2.4% year-over-year decrease in total shipments, managing 16.7 million tons of cargo compared to 16.3 million tons in 2023.

Crude oil shipments totaled 10 million tons for the month, with exports accounting for 9.2 million tons, marking a 3% year-over-year decline. Imports reached 834,439 tons, representing a 7% year-over-year increase.

Petroleum shipments totaled 4.8 million tons in April, reflecting a 6% year-over-year decline. Petroleum exports decreased by 7% year-over-year to 3.7 million tons, while imports dropped by 3% year-over-year to 1.1 million tons.

Dry bulk cargo witnessed a 13% year-over-year decrease to 728,715 tons in April, whereas bulk grain shipments surged by 452% year-over-year to 344,511 tons.

During April, the Port of Corpus Christi facilitated 193 ships, marking a 2.5% year-over-year decline, while barge calls decreased by 18% year-over-year to 404.

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