Houston Business Journal quoted Mr Alec Dreyer CEO of Port of Houston Authority as saying that general container activity for September 2011 has relatively remained flat, an indicator of the poor global economy, while steel cargo continues to be strong.

He said that steel tonnage was up by about 17% YoY September 2011 and up by 62% year to date overall. October 2011 looks to be a healthy month for steel as well, with over 500,000 tonnes being handled.

Mr Roger Guenther VP of Container Operations said that total general cargo was up by 3% due to steel and that he expects a 5% increase in loaded volumes for 2012.

Mr Dreyer said that steel shipments are up so high in part because of the activity going on in the shale fields. The Port is receiving a lot of steel pipe needed to carry out drilling activities. Continued development of the Bayport Container Terminal and retooling of the Barbours Cut terminal will ensure the port can handle the increase in shipments.

The Port Authority’s Bayport and Barbours Cut terminals handle about 70% of the container cargo in the US Gulf and about 96% of the waterborne containers moving through Texas ports.

(Sourced from www.bizjournals.com)