Freight News, Logistics, Sea

LNG Lifts Port of Corpus Christi Tonnage

[ October 23, 2026   //   Gary Burrows ]

Port of Corpus Christi customers moved a record 162.7 million tons of cargo through the Corpus Christi Ship Channel during the first nine months of 2026, an increase of 6.1 percent from the comparable period last year.

Third-quarter volume totaled 52.4 million tons, up 3 percent from 50.9 million tons during the third quarter of 2025, according to the port.

The increase was driven principally by liquefied natural gas. LNG volume jumped 46.2 percent to 6.6 million tons during the quarter, while natural gas liquids increased 23.7 percent to 525,761 tons.

Dry bulk cargo increased 20.9 percent to 2.1 million tons. Other bulk liquids rose 7.8 percent to 4.1 million tons, and refined petroleum products increased 3.7 percent to 8.5 million tons.

The gains offset declines in several other commodity categories. Crude oil shipments, the port’s largest cargo segment, decreased 2.8 percent to 30.4 million tons.

Agricultural cargo fell 69 percent to 192,533 tons, while breakbulk volume declined 94.7 percent to 17,041 tons.

The port described the third-quarter result as a record, although that designation is being reviewed. Port officials previously reported handling 53 million tons during the third quarter of 2024. Clarification has been requested on whether the earlier figure was subsequently revised or calculated under a different reporting methodology.

Tags: Port of Corpus Christi