By any measure, the Port of Houston is busy. The Port of Houston has the busiest port in the United States when ranked by total tons, or the total weight of cargo (domestic and international) entering and leaving the port in short tons as reported by the U.S. Department of Transportation.
Houston also has the ninth busiest port in the United States when considering dry bulk tons and the sixth busiest port in the United States when considering TEU, or twenty-foot container equivalents.
Other busy ports in Texas
The nearby Port of South Louisiana ranks as the second busiest port in the United States in total tons and first in dry bulk tons. The Port of Corpus Christi ranks as the third busiest in the United States in total tons and 23rd busiest in dry bulk tons.
Other busy ports in Texas include:
- Beaumont (7th in total tonnage)
- Port Freeport (15th in total tonnage)
- Port Arthur (16th in total tonnage)
- Texas City (23rd in total tonnage)
Economic impact of U.S. ports
According to U.S. government statistics, cargo moved through ports contributes more than $500 billion to the U.S. GDP, and 99% of the volume of overseas trade enters or leaves the U.S. by ship.
Risks to port workers and seamen
A busy port is great for commerce, but it also presents dangers to port workers and seamen. Workers in marine terminals and port operations have higher fatality, injury, and illness rates than other workers in the U.S., according to the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health. Fatal injuries in this industry occur at a rate five times that of the U.S. workforce overall.
The most frequent cause of death for workers in marine terminals and port operations were accidents in which the workers were struck or run over by vehicles, such as trucks, front-end loaders, or forklifts.
The next most frequent causes of death were by falling or drowning. The third most frequent causes of death were during various cargo and material handling activities, including improperly loaded forklifts, unstable cargo that toppled over, and working below improperly secured loads that fell from cranes.
Seek legal advice if injured on the job
If you’re a maritime worker injured on the job, you can’t afford to settle for less. You need skilled legal advice from a Houston maritime accident attorney.
You may be tempted to accept a fast settlement from your employer or another responsible party, but it’s likely not the total amount your case is worth. It may not even be enough to cover long-term treatment or care for complications from your injury.
Call (713) 955-2215 and book your free consultation to fight for what you deserve.
