Port Authority Gets Record Container Traffic, Prepares For More

The Port of Houston Authority hit a record this month for the number of containers moving in and out of its Bayport container terminal. In one day 4,300 containers came in and out of Bayport's container yard on trucks, chief port operations officer Jeff Davis told the Port Commission Tuesday, compared to about 3,800 on an average day. The uptick at Bayport reflects some changes at the Port Authority's container terminals, but also increased container traffic that is on track to set a record for the year of the equivalent of over 2 million 20-foot-long containers. In 2017 the Port Authority expects another boost in containers as more companies begin to move plastic resin, a product of natural gas. In the next year more natural gas processing facilities are planned to go into operation at ports along the western Gulf of Mexico.