The container cargo flows at several ports in the United States experienced notable trends in March:
Port of Houston:
- Container shipments increased by 20% year-over-year (y/y) in March, with a total of 360,991 twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) handled.
- Overall cargo flows through the Houston Ship Channel and the port’s container facilities increased by 4% in the first quarter.
- Import volumes, particularly of items like furniture and appliances, surged by 23% y/y in March.
- Total container volumes for the first quarter reached 1.06 million TEUs, marking a 15% increase compared to the same period in 2023.
- Hydrocarbons and plastic resins exports remained strong, contributing to overall growth.
Port of New Orleans:
- Container moves spiked by 24% y/y in March, reaching 45,214 TEUs.
- However, there was a significant decline of 54% y/y in total breakbulk tonnage during the month.
- Containerized cargo, both imports and exports, increased during the first quarter, setting a record high.
- Top container exports included plastic resins and chemicals, while coffee and wood products were prominent imports.
Port of Corpus Christi:
- Total cargo experienced a slight decrease of 1.7% y/y in March, with crude oil shipments falling by 1.9% y/y.
- Petroleum shipments also declined by 9% y/y during the month.
- Dry bulk cargo saw a significant increase of 20% y/y, while chemical shipments fell by 35% y/y.
- Bulk grain shipments soared by 104% y/y in March.
Port of Mobile, Alabama:
- The port achieved its third-highest month in history, handling 53,608 TEUs in March, representing a 27% y/y increase.
- Year-to-date container operations totaled 563,537 TEUs.
- Despite market challenges, the port demonstrated resilience and strength in its performance.
Overall, while there were fluctuations in specific cargo types and volumes across the ports, containerized cargo, particularly imports, showed robust growth trends, reflecting ongoing demand for various goods.
