Ports along the US east and Gulf coasts are pressing ahead with infrastructure upgrades despite weak volumes, reports New York's Journal of Commerce.

Laden container imports through east and Gulf coast ports rose 2.5 per cent in the first 11 months of 2025, with east coast shipments up three per cent and Gulf Coast imports up 0.3 per cent, according to PIERS. Port Houston saw swings from negative 11.5 per cent in February to positive 33.1 per cent in April, while New York and New Jersey handled between 354,697 TEU in June and 420,495 TEU in August.

Despite volatility, vessel handling remained fluid, with ships spending an average of 27.6 hours on east coast calls and 33.1 hours on Gulf Coast calls. Leadership changes included Micah Mallace becoming president and CEO of South Carolina Ports after Barbara Melvin stepped down amid delays at Charleston's near-dock rail terminal.

Expansion projects include Charleston's Navy Base Intermodal Facility, due October 2026, linking marine terminals with inland ports in Greer and Dillon. CSX�� Howard Street Tunnel project will allow double-stack rail service from Baltimore to Chicago and Midwest markets.

Houston is widening its ship channel and adding a new wharf at Bayport to handle five ships and eventually vessels of up to 17,000 TEU. Mobile is dredging to 50 feet and expanding its yard to exceed one million TEU capacity, while Virginia will complete dredging to 55 feet and commission new cranes at Norfolk International Terminal.

Looking ahead, New York and New Jersey plan a US Army Corps of Engineers study on dredging to 55 feet to serve 18,000 TEU ships. Savannah will finish upgrades to its Ocean Terminal in 2027 to handle two post-Panamax vessels simultaneously.

https://www.shippingazette.com/news?news_id=9260100000116