Vessel arrivals to US down in April at Houston port

HOUSTON (ICIS)–April chemical tanker arrivals at the Port of Houston remained flat while total arrivals and a few other vessel sectors declined, according to data released on Thursday.

Half of the categories showed declines and half recorded slight increases, but total arrivals at the port dropped by 6% during April, according to data from the Greater Houston Port Bureau (GHPB).

Only two more liquid petroleum gas (LPG) and container ships arrived than came in during March.

The big dropoff came in bulk carrier arrivals, with 44 fewer vessels coming in during the month for a 42% decline. Nine fewer oil tankers (-4%) and seven less general cargo vessels (-9%) also arrived.

Arrivals for nearly every major vessel category declined in the first four months this year, with the exception of LPG – up almost 23%. The other categories showing declines are container ships, down 6%; chemical tankers, down 9%; general cargo, off 15%; and bulk with a 21% decline.

Source: Greater Houston Port Bureau