Houston keeps most of its 2015 18pc H1 gain as volume falls 4pc

Time:2016-08-02 Browse:89 Author:RISINGSUN
THE Port of Houston Authority posted a four per cent decline in first half container throughput to 1.08 million TEU, but saying last year`s record volume had soared 18 per cent year on year because of cargo diversions from US west coast labour strife. 

"Container volume continues to be very resilient, topping well over one million TEU through the first six months of the year," said port executive director Roger Guenther. 

"It`s tough to compare 2016 versus 2015 on the container side," he added, "because at this point last year container volume had spiked." 

In 2015, the Port Authority handled a record-breaking 1.1 million TEU and that this year`s performance has "exceeded expectations for the year thus far". 

Said Mr Guenther "We are optimistic about the second half of 2016, with the traction already gained in the east Asia trade." Combined overall cargo tonnage for the Port Authority facilities also reached 17 million tons for the first half of the year.