Gulf Coast ports record mixed freight movements in June

By Admin

23 Jul, 2025

The Gulf Coast ports delivered a mixed performance in June, reflecting dynamic shifts in global trade and regional cargo trends. While some ports experienced declines in key categories, others reported record-setting movements, highlighting the diverse landscape of freight activity along the Gulf.

Port Houston Sees Slight Dip in Container Volumes

Port Houston witnessed a modest decline in container volumes during June, with a 2% year-over-year drop, bringing the total to 331,864 twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs). Both container exports and imports were slightly down compared to last year. Exports fell 3% to 169,665 TEUs, while imports declined 2% to 162,199 TEUs.

Despite the drop, resin exports remain a bright spot. Port Houston maintains a commanding 60% market share in resin commodity shipments, a key driver of continued container activity at the terminals.

Total cargo volumes at Port Houston have still grown 3% year-to-date, reaching 2.17 million TEUs, while total revenue tonnage rose 9% in June to 5.4 million tons. Chief Port Operations Officer Ryan Mariacher noted during a recent port commission meeting that loaded TEUs increased 1% over June 2024, and total TEUs for the year are showing a 3% rise.

“Export loads have really carried the way for us in recent weeks, up 16% for the month,” Mariacher stated. However, the number of blank sailings increased to 14, suggesting some ongoing volatility in shipping schedules.

Steel and General Cargo Trends

Steel imports took a significant hit, dropping 32% year over year to 290,775 tons, while steel exports rose 22% to 3,925 tons. General export tonnage climbed 22% to 1.3 million tons, and total export tonnage increased 16% to 3 million tons.

General import cargo surged 35% to 668,504 tons, although total import tonnage held steady at 2.4 million tons.

Container Breakdown and Vessel Movements

June saw a 9% decrease in loaded import containers (139,453 TEUs), but empty imports more than doubled, jumping 103% to 22,746 TEUs. Loaded exports grew 16% to 133,040 TEUs, but empty export containers dropped 38% to 36,625 TEUs.

Ship activity also slowed, with 644 vessel calls, down 11%, while barge calls rose 8% to 342.

Despite the mixed June performance, Port Houston CEO Charlie Jenkins remains optimistic. “July has been very strong and year to date we’re doing well, better than most ports in the country,” he said.

Port of Corpus Christi Posts Cargo Growth Despite Crude Decline

The Port of Corpus Christi reported a 3.6% year-over-year increase in total cargo for June, handling 17.2 million tons. Crude oil shipments, however, declined 9% to 10.62 million tons during the month.

Over the first half of 2025, crude volumes totaled 65.2 million tons, reflecting a 3.8% rise from 2024. Liquified natural gas (LNG) shipments saw strong gains, rising 10.8% to 8.5 million tons in the same period.

Other commodities, including dry bulk, breakbulk, and bulk liquids, also posted increases in the first half of the year. The port’s customers moved a record 51.1 million tons of goods through the Corpus Christi Ship Channel in Q2.

Vessel Activity at Corpus Christi

The port registered 206 ship calls in June, marking a 9% increase compared to 2024. However, barge activity dipped, with 427 calls, down 5.6% year over year.

As freight movement trends evolve, Gulf Coast ports like Houston and Corpus Christi are navigating a shifting trade environment. While challenges remain, particularly in specific cargo segments, growth in areas such as resin, LNG, and general cargo highlights resilience and adaptability across the region’s maritime infrastructure.