Port Statistics

Trade Highlights and
Performance Data

The Houston Ship Channel complex and its more than 200 private and eight public terminals, collectively known as the Port of Houston, is the nation’s largest port for waterborne tonnage.

Houston’s Port is an essential economic engine for the Houston region, the state of Texas, and the U.S.

Port Houston supports 1.54M jobs throughout the state of Texas and 3.37M jobs nationwide.

Economic activity helps generate more than $439B in statewide economic value and $906B in nationwide economic value.

The Houston Ship Channel contributes nearly $10.6B in state and local tax revenue and $62.8B in national tax revenue.

The tonnage gap between the #1 port (the Port of Houston), and the #2 port increased by 24.4 million tons in 2023 to 92 million tons, compared to 67.6 million tons in 2022. (USACE).

Ship Channel tonnage increased by 5% in total tonnage to 309.5 million tons, according to the latest 2023 data (USACE).

1st ranked U.S. port in foreign waterborne tonnage – 220.1 million short tons (2024).

2nd ranked U.S. port in terms of total foreign cargo value ($222.5 billion) in 2023.

Largest Texas port with 44% of market share by tonnage.

Sources: Martin and Associates Economic Impact Activity Report, USACE Navigation Data Center, U.S. Dept. of Commerce Bureau of Census, Customs Data from Census Bureau, Journal of Commerce PIERS, American Association of Port Authorities.

Additional Resources

2022 Economic Report

Statistical Highlights for Port Houston

5th ranked U.S. container port by total TEUs
Largest Texas port with 97% market share in containers
Largest Gulf Coast container port, handling 74% of U.S. Gulf Coast container traffic

Statistical Data in Depth