The port also recorded the highest monthly loaded imports on record at 159,791 TEU during August, a 37 per cent increase compared to August 2020, reports New York's FreightWaves.

"We embrace our position as a centrally located port serving a large region of consumers," said Port Houston executive director Roger Guenther.

"Providing efficient and predictable cargo movement through our port during an unprecedented surge in global imports continues to be a top priority for us."

Mr Guenther said the increase in cargo volumes can be attributed to new importers in the area that have realigned their gateway strategy and distribution centre networks, along with increased consumer spending and retailers building up inventory for the holiday season.

Port Houston's largest gains in tonnage during August came from a 666 per cent year-on-year increase in exports of steel at 6,545 tonnes. Import tonnage of steel increased 159 per cent to 340,531 tonnes.

General imports during August increased by 129 per cent year on year to 929,111 tonnes, and container imports increased 16 per cent to 1.3 million tonnes.

The port handled 8,642 TEU s in empty import containers during August, down 28 per cent year over years and down four per cent from July. Exports of empty containers jumped 208 per cent in August from a year ago to 65,983 TEU and declined 13 per cent from July.

Year to date, Port Houston has surpassed the two million TEU mark, with 2.2 million TEU compared to 1.91 million TEU in 2020, a 16 per cent increase.

Vessel calls for August declined about three per cent year on year to 636, and down 10 per cent from July.