---
title: Port Houston Market Report Q3 2026 | Lee & Associates
description: "Port Houston market report for Q3 2026: trade activity, infrastructure investment, and Southeast Houston industrial demand."
---

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Market Report · Q3 2026

# Port Houston

Port Houston's continued investment, expanding trade network, and industrial momentum are positioning Southeast Houston for its next phase of growth. The 52-mile Houston Ship Channel remains the nation's largest port complex by waterborne tonnage.

$986.9B

Annual U.S. economic value

Ship Channel cargo activity, 2025

3.53M

U.S. jobs supported

2026 economic impact study

~3.0M

TEUs through August

Up 1% year over year

+21%

Ship Channel exports

Year over year through July

3.4M SF

Southeast Houston leasing

Q3 2026

7.6%

Southeast Houston direct vacancy

Q3 2026

## For the conversation

- **Trade is strong and diverse.**Total tonnage rose 15% and crude oil exports were up 40% year to date, while August steel tonnage rose 49% year over year.
- **Energy exports run through Houston.**Houston accounted for 31% of U.S. waterborne exports of crude oil and refined products.
- **The Port anchors industrial demand.**Southeast Houston recorded about 3.4 million SF of leasing and 3.7 million SF of net absorption in Q3 2026.

Why it matters

Port Houston's growth continues to translate directly into industrial demand, positioning Southeast Houston as one of the nation's most strategically important logistics corridors.

Q3 2026 Port Houston Market Report

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**Lee & Associates Houston** · Commercial Real Estate ServicesMarket data from Lee & Associates research. Prepared for our owner conversations, fall 2026.