Houston Ship Channel tonnage surges in first quarter
Houston Ship Channel Reports Significant First-Quarter Growth, Driven by Energy Exports
Houston, TX – The Houston Ship Channel experienced a robust first quarter in 2026, with waterborne tonnage reaching 65 million short tons. This represents a substantial 12% increase compared to the same period in the previous year, primarily fueled by strong export performance.
Exports surged by 19% year-over-year, accounting for nearly 54 million short tons, while imports saw a 12% decline. Key export categories demonstrated significant growth: petroleum gases increased by 33%, refined products by 24%, and crude oil by 19%. These figures underscore Houston’s continued prominence as a leading energy export hub for the United States.
Vessel activity along the channel also reflected this upward trend. The first quarter saw over 2,000 vessel arrivals, a 5% increase from the prior year. April’s ship calls were up 6% compared to April 2025, with both March and April marking the busiest periods on the channel since 2019. Port Houston CEO Charlie Jenkins credited the Galveston Bay Reach expansion of the Houston Ship Channel for enhancing the channel’s capacity to accommodate larger vessels and greater cargo volumes. Cumulatively, total waterborne tonnage in Houston has grown nearly 27% since 2019.
In contrast, container performance presented a more varied picture. April container volume stood at 353,319 TEUs, a 9% decrease from April 2025. This decline is attributed to ongoing adjustments in shipper inventory and sourcing strategies, influenced by transportation cost uncertainties and global market conditions. Despite the monthly dip, year-to-date container volumes through April remain down only 1% compared to the record performance of the same period last year. Loaded imports and exports in April declined by 8% and 5% respectively, though they remain largely stable on a year-to-date basis. Port officials noted early May data suggesting a rebound in import volumes and expressed optimism regarding the long-term outlook for containerized trade in Houston.
Multipurpose facilities at Port Houston witnessed a notable surge in general cargo, with April volumes up 27% and year-to-date volumes increasing by 52%, driven by machinery and bagged goods. Total dry bulk tonnage reached 518,136 short tons in April, an increase of 3% for the month and 44% year-to-date. While steel volumes experienced a 30% decline in April and are down 28% year-to-date, forecasts anticipate an improvement in May.
Across Port Houston’s eight public facilities, total tonnage in April was 4,659,019 short tons, a 5% decrease year-over-year. However, year-to-date tonnage for public facilities remains strong, up 3% at 18,556,499 short tons.