Port Houston Sees 4% Tonnage Increase as Reefer Free Time Cut

Port Houston has reported a 4% increase in overall tonnage, driven in part by new rules aimed at reducing dwell times for refrigerated containers. According to FreightWaves, port officials have passed a new regulation that will take effect on May 1st. The rule will reduce the free time allowed for reefer containers from 5 days down to 3 days. This is an effort to press shippers to move their refrigerated cargo more quickly through the port. 'We're trying to create more velocity and get cargo out of the port,' said port spokesperson Lisa Ashley. 'The longer containers sit, the more congestion we have.' The port has seen strong growth in recent months, with total tonnage up 4% year-over-year. Much of this has been driven by an increase in breakbulk and project cargo volumes. However, the new reefer free time rule is aimed at addressing ongoing challenges with container dwell times and port congestion. 'Anything we can do to keep cargo moving is helpful,' added Ashley. 'This change will create more fluidity and make space for additional containers.' The new policy is the latest in a series of steps taken by Port Houston to improve efficiency and throughput. Other recent initiatives have included extended gate hours, expanded rail service, and investments in container handling equipment. Industry analysts say the move is part of a broader trend of ports taking more assertive action to reduce dwell times and ease supply chain bottlenecks. 'Ports are really having to get creative to keep cargo flowing,' noted one gCaptain contributor. 'This is just the latest example of a port authority getting proactive.'