Port of Galveston vessel calls, cargo see increases in June

The port handled 67 vessel calls in June, compared with 57 in June 2017, and 430 vessels year-to-date for the second quarter of 2018 compared with 337 vessels over the same time period last year. (Thomas B. Shea/For the Chronicle) less The port handled 67 vessel calls in June, compared with 57 in June 2017, and 430 vessels year-to-date for the second quarter of 2018 compared with 337 vessels over the same time period last year. (Thomas B. ... more Photo: Thomas B. Shea / For The Chronicle Photo: Thomas B. Shea / For The Chronicle Image 1 of / 39 Caption Close Port of Galveston vessel calls, cargo see increases in June 1 / 39 Back to Gallery

The Port of Galveston could be headed toward a record year.

Both vessel calls and cargo volume increased in June, up 18 percent and 47 percent, respectively, when compared to June 2017.

"It's mid-year and the port continues to see record cargo volume growth and a significant increase in vessel calls," Port Director and CEO Rodger Rees said in a news release. "If these numbers continue to rise, 2018 could be a record year for the port."

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The port handled 67 vessel calls in June, compared with 57 in June 2017, and 430 vessels year-to-date for the second quarter of 2018 compared with 337 vessels over the same time period last year.

The increase in vessels was largely driven by lay vessels and barges, which stop temporarily at the port for repairs, fueling or Coast Guard inspections. Yet cargo ship calls were up 22 percent and cruise ship vessel traffic increased 5 percent over June 2017.

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Bulk grain exports led the increase in cargo volume for June with a 160 percent increase over June 2017. The increase in grain exports stems from a decision to dredge the channel and ADM Grain Galveston facility berth to accommodate larger grain vessels, according to the news release.

Roll-on-roll-off cargo, like the BMWs and Minis unloaded in Galveston, was up 25 percent due to additional vessel calls for the month. Bulk liquid imports were up 30 percent for the month.