Port Traffic Metrics: Boston, Houston

Boston: Conley Container Terminal Continues Its Record-Breaking Run

The Massachusetts Port Authority reports throughput at Paul W. Conley Container Terminal in the Port of Boston reached a record high in fiscal year 2016 of 247,329 TEUs. That beat the FY 2015 tally by 12 percent, or more than 26,000 TEUs. Both exports and imports posted gains. July/June is Massport’s fiscal year.

Conley also set a monthly record in August with volume of 26,334 TEUs, an increase from August 2015 of nearly 23 percent.

"The strategic planning and investment being done to keep the Port of Boston competitive and an East Coast leader is behind these record-breaking numbers," said Port Director Lisa Wieland. "Our partners in state and federal government know the vital importance the port has to the people of New England, and we are looking forward to continuing our work together to serve them even better together."

Owned and operated by Massport, Conley Terminal hosts ocean carrier services provided by Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC), China Ocean Shipping Company (COSCO), "K" Line, Yang Ming, Evergreen, Maersk Line and Hapag-Lloyd. Among the containerized cargos handled here are seafood, beer and wine, furniture, apparel, and footwear.

Solid Business Activity Continues at the Port of Houston Authority

"Container activity is solid at the Port of Houston Authority," said Executive Director Roger Guenther in his monthly report last week to the Houston Port Commission. "Container TEUs are within one percent of last year’s volume, and in fact," he added, "August 2016 container volume was up 5 percent." The port authority’s general and container cargo facilities collectively handled more than 23 million tons of total tonnage through August.

During that same meeting, the port commission approved of a long-term lease agreement that allows LBC Houston, L.P., to develop a new liquid bulk facility on port authority property on the north side of the Bayport Turning Basin Terminal. LBC‘s joint venture partner is Magellan Midstream Partners L.P.

The commissioners also approved additions to Port Authority Tariffs Nos. 14 and 15 covering Barbours Cut and Bayport Container Terminals. These amendments provide formal notice of actions the port authority has taken to keep commerce moving following the August 30 receivership of Hanjin Shipping Co., and permit the port authority to assess, invoice, collect and disburse fees as needed to handle Hanjin container cargos.