More steel crosses Port Houston docks

A load of steel sits on the dock at the Port of Houston, as a ship is unloaded, Wednesday, May 23, 2012, in Houston. More than 1.7 million tons of steel have crossed Port Houston docks so far in 2017, an increase of nearly 50 percent from from the same period in 2016 when steel imports lagged. ( Karen Warren / Houston Chronicle ) less A load of steel sits on the dock at the Port of Houston, as a ship is unloaded, Wednesday, May 23, 2012, in Houston. More than 1.7 million tons of steel have crossed Port Houston docks so far in 2017, an ... more Photo: Karen Warren, Staff Photo: Karen Warren, Staff Image 1 of / 14 Caption Close More steel crosses Port Houston docks 1 / 14 Back to Gallery

More than 1.7 million tons of steel have crossed Port Houston docks this year, an increase of nearly 50 percent from the same period in 2016 when steel imports lagged.

Last year's soft energy market resulted in less drilling, which caused a reduction in steel imports used for drilling-related pipe. The metrics reported during Tuesday's meeting of the Port Commission of the Port of Houston Authority indicates that steel imports are rebounding.

MORE: Port Houston sets record for containers loaded, unloaded from single ship

Overall, nearly 20 million tons of cargo have come through Port Houston this year, up 13 percent from the same period last year, Executive Director Roger Guenther said in a news release. Container volumes, specifically, have increased 14 percent year-over-year.