The nation's maritime network plays a pivotal role when it comes to the movement of liquid bulk, be it petroleum products, chemicals, or liquid natural gas (LNG). According to the Bureau of Transportation Statistics (BTS), 2023, waterborne transportation accounted for an impressive 41.5 percent of U.S. global trade value, underscoring its vital position among freight transport modes (Bureau of Transportation Statistics). Behind these figures lies the granular data compiled by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers' Waterborne Commerce Statistics Center (WCSC), which documents cargo flows and vessel movements, including key insights into liquid bulk commodity volumes (IWR, Bureau of Transportation Statistics).
No port eclipses the Port of Houston in handling U.S. liquid bulk trade. In 2023 alone, the Houston Ship Channel moved approximately 309.5 million short tons of cargo, marking a 5.3% year-over-year increase, the highest among all U.S. ports (Port Houston). To put that in perspective, it handled around 12% of the nation's total waterborne tonnage (Port Houston). It widened its lead over the second-largest port by a staggering 92 million tons in 2023, compared to a 67.6 million-ton gap in 2022 (Port Houston).
Beyond its sheer scale, the port's infrastructure is meticulously designed for liquid bulk handling. The S.J.B. Liquid Facility, in particular, has seen notable tonnage increases between 2018 and 2022, liquid bulk grew by around 2.1 million tons, contributing significantly to a 14.2 million ton increase across all cargo types (Port Houston). Stretching 52 miles along the Houston Ship Channel, Port Houston operates eight public terminals, including major breakbulk and container facilities, all positioned to support this freight flow efficiently (Port Houston).
Though Houston is unrivaled, several other U.S. ports serve as critical conduits for liquid bulk trade, and they deserve attention.
NY/NJ is the busiest harbor on the East Coast, handling vast amounts of containerized goods and liquid bulk. The port moved 123.7 million short tons in 2023, ranking it the fourth largest by tonnage nationally (Bureau of Transportation Statistics). Its strategic location, world-class container terminals, and deepwater access make it a key route for refined petroleum and chemical volumes serving domestic and international markets.
On the lower Mississippi River, New Orleans ranked fifth nationally with 81 million short tons handled in 2023 (Bureau of Transportation Statistics). Unique among Gulf ports, it boasts robust intermodal connectivity, especially via the New Orleans Public Belt Railroad, which enables seamless transfers of liquid bulk to inland rail hubs.
Though smaller, Savannah is one of the nation's fastest-growing ports. In 2020, it handled 37.8 million short tons, a number that continues climbing as the port expands container operations and modernizes logistics infrastructure (Bureau of Transportation Statistics). Plans for the Jasper Ocean Terminal poised upriver could further enhance Savannah's liquid bulk capacity in the years ahead.
In the realm of U.S. liquid bulk transportation, the Port of Houston stands unapologetically at the forefront, thanks to unmatched volume, specialized infrastructure, and strategic economic impact. Following close behind, NY/NJ, New Orleans, and Savannah each contribute uniquely through geographic placement, intermodal access, and growth trajectories.