SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION
HOUSTON TRADE AND LOGISTICS
Port Houston’ s Bayport Container Terminal is one of the nation’ s most efficient container terminals.
Port Houston / CK Productions retail consumer goods, furniture, automotive products and apparel. On the export side, resins and chemicals remain leading commodities, supported by the region’ s extensive petrochemical manufacturing base.
In September, the port began welcoming a new weekly service that supports refrigerated and dry containerized cargo from Crowley, connecting Houston with Guatemala and Honduras.
“ This expands options for customers moving cargo between Central America and the US,” Casey said.
However, Port Houston handles much more than containerized cargo. This includes energy products, steel, breakbulk, project cargo, heavy-lift, dry bulk and liquid bulk.
“ Port Houston’ s multipurpose facilities continue to represent the largest breakbulk, steel and project cargo complex in North America,” Casey said, noting that the port’ s public terminals handle a diverse mix of cargo, including steel, heavy equipment and commodities that support the manufacturing, construction and energy industries.
The port has seen an uptick in energysector cargo since June, including modules, high-pressure drums, heat recovery steam generators and gas turbines, along with data-center equipment that gets discharged and railed across the US.
General cargo has also been particularly strong at Port Houston this year, up 22 % year to date through August. Steel posted a strong August, as well, with total tonnage up 49 % from the same month last year, driven primarily by imports.
“ Steel imports rebounded 44 % in Q2 compared to Q1 2026, and we expect these to remain strong for the remainder of the year,” Casey said.“ This diversity allows Houston to serve multiple market segments while responding to changing market conditions and customer needs.”
Energy market shifts
Energy goods remain central to the Houston Ship Channel region, home to one of the world’ s largest concentrations of refineries, petrochemical facilities and pipeline networks.
“ This integrated infrastructure connects US energy production with global markets and supports a broad range of industries,” Casey said.
While energy has long been a cornerstone of Houston’ s economy, the sector continues to evolve amid changing global demand, US production levels, energy exports and investment in new technologies.
The region’ s traditional strengths in oil, gas, refining and petrochemicals are increasingly complemented by LNG, power generation, renewables and energyrelated technologies.
The port reports that crude oil exports through the Houston Ship Channel are up 40 % so far in 2026, contributing to regional export growth. Houston accounts for 31 % of US waterborne exports of crude oil and refined products and more than 21 % of total US waterborne exports by tonnage.
While much of the region’ s liquid bulk cargo moves through privately operated facilities, Port Houston’ s public terminals support the energy industry by importing steel, oilfield tubular goods and heavy equipment, and by exporting containerized plastic resins and specialty chemicals.
“ Port Houston handles around 70 % of all US polyethylene resin exports,” Casey said. www. joc. com November 2, 2026 | Journal of Commerce 45