Port of Corpus Christi sets new cargo record as LNG volumes surge

The Port of Corpus Christi recorded its highest cargo throughput for the first nine months of a year in 2026, with customers moving 162.7 million tons of commodities through the Corpus Christi Ship Channel, representing a 6.1% increase compared with the same period in 2025.

According to figures released by the port on 20 October, the nine-month total exceeded the previous record of 153.3 million tons established during the corresponding period last year.

During the third quarter of 2026, cargo volumes reached 52.4 million tons, an increase of 3% from the 50.9 million tons handled in the third quarter of 2025. However, the port’s quarterly record remains the 53 million tons recorded in the third quarter of 2024.

LNG and dry bulk drive quarterly growth

Liquefied natural gas (LNG) recorded the strongest growth among the port’s major cargo categories during the third quarter, with volumes increasing 46.2% year on year to 6.6 million tons.

Natural gas liquids (NGL) shipments also increased significantly, rising 23.7% to 525,761 tons. Dry bulk cargo volumes grew 20.9% to 2.1 million tons, while other bulk liquids increased 7.8% to 4.1 million tons.

Refined petroleum products contributed to the overall increase, with shipments reaching 8.5 million tons, up 3.7% compared with the same quarter in 2025.

These gains supported the port’s quarterly performance and contributed to its record throughput during the first nine months of the year.

Crude oil and breakbulk volumes decline

Despite the overall increase in cargo traffic, several commodity categories recorded lower volumes during the third quarter.

Crude oil shipments, the port’s largest cargo category by tonnage, declined 2.8% year on year to 30.4 million tons.

Breakbulk cargo experienced a particularly sharp decrease, falling 94.7% to 17,041 tons, while agricultural commodities declined 69% to 192,533 tons.

The contrasting performance across cargo categories highlights the significant contribution of LNG and other energy-related commodities to the port’s overall throughput growth.

The latest figures reinforce the Port of Corpus Christi’s role as a major energy export gateway on the US Gulf Coast, with its nine-month cargo record achieved despite lower crude oil and breakbulk volumes during the third quarter.