Unprecedented demand for cargo has impacted the entire supply chain causing record amounts of cargo. Port Houston is moving historic cargo volumes, but it is not without growing pains. That is why Port Houston is investing a total of $1.1 billion in capital enhancements over the next eight years to better serve our customers.

“In response to this strong growth, we are accelerating projects at our container terminals, like opening additional gates at our Barbours Cut Container Terminal. The arrival of three new neo-panamax ship-to-shore cranes at our Bayport Container Terminal in February will allow us to work larger ships than ever before, which is another way we are well poised for the future of container shipping,” Port Houston Executive Director Roger Guenther said.

Earlier in 2022, Port Houston extended container terminal gate hours to include a 6:00 am start time. The extended gate hours have been so well received by industry partners that we are taking the next step to add regular Saturday gate hours to further improve traffic and service at the container terminals. Our goal over the next several months include:
I. Decreased export and import dwell-times, currently at 10+ and 6+ days respectively
II. Turn times to remain in line with weekday turn times or less
III. Increased use of Express Pass at gate entry
IV. Productive Saturday gates

We are continuing to collaborate with partners, like those in the trucking industry, to identify additional solutions to keep cargo flowing efficiently.
Port Houston is investing $700 million in the next 5 years at Barbours Cut and Bayport Container Terminal to advance cargo movement. These improvements include rehabilitating multiple wharves and container yards at the container terminals and adding new STS cranes, new RTG cranes and other operations equipment to enhance logistics. We’re also building new yard space and wharves as well as making improvements to the Houston Ship Channel, Bayport Ship Channel and Barbours Cut Ship Channel to make way for larger cargo vessels.

Source: Port Houston

“We are focused on short term optimization strategies to improve user experience at Port Houston container terminals, while we are accelerating our CAPEX investments to add capacity to provide relief to the volume surges we continue to experience, ” Port Houston Director of Container Terminals Ryan Mariacher said.

Additionally, at Barbours Cut Container Terminal, Port Houston has invested $43 million to enhance the overall terminal traffic flow. Earlier this year we nearly doubled our in-gate capacity, adding 14 new gates to bring our total to 29 entry gates; enhancing technology and support areas to help expedite entry into the terminal. We have transferred three additional STS cranes to help with offloading container vessels and have established an Express Pass system that will allow frequent truckers to get through entry gates quickly.

Port Houston knows how important consistency and efficiency is to customers. Capital improvements will not only benefit direct partners and stakeholders, but also move the world while driving regional and economic prosperity. You can count on Port Houston to continue to meet your needs now and make investments for the future too.
Source: Port Houston