Port Houston Continues to Deliver Solid Results
December 12 2017 - 8:23PM
Business Wire
Port Houston terminals handled nearly 35 million tons of cargo
through November, representing a nine percent increase versus the
same period last year, Executive Director Roger Guenther announced
in his report to the Port Commission of the Port of Houston
Authority today, during the last regular Port Commission meeting of
2017. The main drivers for this growth include containers and steel
imports, he noted.
“Steel volumes continue to trend upward, totaling 3.4 million
tons, reflecting a 57 percent increase compared to the same period
last year,” Guenther remarked.
Container activity remains solid, showing a growth of 14 percent
year on year. “We expect to pass the 2.4 million TEU container mark
by the end of this year,” Guenther added. He noted this was a
milestone achievement for the port, especially considering
challenges including loss of time and labor hours due to the impact
of Hurricane Harvey.
Actions taken by the Port Commission included approval to
reissue and amend Port Authority Tariffs Nos. 8, 14 and 15,
covering the Turning Basin Terminal, Barbours Cut Terminal and
Bayport Container Terminal, all effective Jan. 1, 2018. The
commission also approved amending Port Houston’s agreement with
Konecranes Finland, to purchase one more diesel electronic yard
crane, bringing to a total of 10 the number of new yard cranes
headed to Bayport Container Terminal.
During the meeting, Port Commission Chairman Janiece Longoria
announced Texas Comptroller Glenn Hegar had awarded Port Houston
its third Transparency Star for its reporting practices and online
tools associated with Port Houston’s Pension Plan, following two
stars awarded in December 2016 for Traditional Finances and Debt
Obligations. Earlier this year, the Texas Public Interest Research
Group also recognized Port Houston as the top-ranked special
district for online financial transparency, out of 79 special
districts across the country.
Finally, the Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA)
awarded Port Houston its 43rd consecutive Certificate of
Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting for its 2016
Comprehensive Annual Financial Report (CAFR). This certificate is
the highest form of recognition in the area of government
accounting and financial reporting.
The next regular Port Commission meeting is scheduled Jan. 30,
2018.
About Port Houston
For more than 100 years, the port has owned and operated the
public wharves and terminals of the Port of Houston – the nation’s
largest port for foreign waterborne tonnage and an essential
economic engine for the Houston region, the state of Texas, and the
nation. It supports the creation of nearly 1.175 million jobs in
Texas and 2.7 million jobs nationwide, and economic activity
totaling almost $265 billion in Texas – 16 percent of Texas’ total
gross domestic product – and more than $617 billion in economic
impact across the nation. For more information, visit Port
Houston’s website at: www.porthouston.com.
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Port HoustonLisa Ashley, Director, Media RelationsOffice:
713-670-2644; Mobile: 832-247-8179E-mail: lashley@poha.com