Port of Houston Moves Up to Sixth in the World

The Port of Houston moved up two spots in the world rankings and is now the sixth largest port in the world, based on fiscal year 2000 total cargo tonnage reported by the American Association of Port Authorities. "Our sixth place ranking among the world's ports is a testament to our efficient operations, our facilities and our commitment to our customers," said Port Authority Chairman James T. Edmonds.

The Port commissioners reduced steel import tariff rates from $2.32 to $1.65 to stimulate steel imports that have been affected by new trade regulations. This reduction, effective July 1, 2002, has helped turn around a downward trend of steel imports.

The Port's total container volume in the first six months of 2002 increased 8 percent to 568,911 TEUs (twenty-foot-equivalent units) from 522,111 TEUs in the year 2001. Overall container shipping grew to nearly 5.2 million tons, an approximately 7.6 percent increase over the same period of 2001.

In the first six months of 2002, bulk grain shipments increased 33 percent on movement of approximately 1.1 million tons through the Port of Houston Authority's facilities, compared to approximately 865,870 tons during the same period in 2001. In addition, tonnage at the Bulk Materials Handling Plant increased 35 percent to just over 2 million tons of Pet Coke, compared to approximately 1.5 million tons handled in the first six months of 2001.

Exported bagged cargoes totaled 220,483 tons for the first six months of 2002 compared to 204,948 tons for 2001, an increase of 8 percent.