The Port of Corpus Christi recorded its highest cargo throughput for the first nine months of 2026, handling 162.7 million tons of commodities through the Corpus Christi Ship Channel.
The total represents a 6.1% increase from the previous record of 153.3 million tons, set during the same period in 2025.
During the third quarter, port customers handled 52.4 million tons, up 3% from 50.9 million tons a year earlier. However, volumes remained below the third-quarter record of 53 million tons recorded in 2024.
Liquefied natural gas (LNG) recorded the strongest growth among the major cargo categories during the third quarter.
LNG volumes increased by 46.2% to 6.6 million tons, while natural gas liquids (NGL) rose by 23.7% to 525,761 tons.
Dry bulk throughput also increased, climbing 20.9% to 2.1 million tons compared with the third quarter of 2025.
Meanwhile, refined petroleum products grew by 3.7% to 8.5 million tons, and other bulk liquids increased by 7.8% to 4.1 million tons.
Despite these gains, several cargo categories recorded lower volumes.
Crude oil shipments declined by 2.8% to 30.4 million tons, although they remained the largest cargo category handled during the quarter.
Breakbulk cargo fell sharply by 94.7% to 17,041 tons. Agricultural commodities also decreased by 69% to 192,533 tons.
Overall, the port’s nine-month record reflects higher cargo volumes during 2026, supported by strong growth in LNG and several bulk commodity categories.
