Port of Corpus Christi ends 2021 with record LNG tonnage

The U.S. energy export gateway Port of Corpus Christi says it finished 2021 with record tonnage, mainly attributable to an 81.2 per cent increase from 2020 in shipments of LNG.

The record tonnage is mainly due to the increase from 2020 in shipments of liquefied natural gas (LNG). Besides, crude oil exports averaged a record 1.76 million barrels per day in 2021; a slight increase over its 2020 record.

The Port of Corpus Christi’s new annual tonnage record of 167.3 million tonnes is a 4.7 per cent increase over 2020.

LNG is responsible for much of the growth; reaching 15.7 million tonnes as the energy markets continue to recover from the pandemic. In addition, the port saw increases in break bulk cargo.

The Port of Corpus Christi also saw its best quarter in Q4-2021 at 44.3 million tonnes, besting the prior record from Q2-2021. Thus, it set a new high for the second half of the year. From July through December 2021, it moved 86.8 million tonnes of cargo. This is up 4.7 per cent from the previous mark from the second half of 2020.

“These tonnage numbers are an indication of a continued recovery in the global energy markets,” said Sean Strawbridge, CEO for the Port of Corpus Christi.

The port says it continues to diversify its portfolio with new initiatives. These include scalable hydrogen and renewable energy production, as well as a centralized Carbon Capture Utilization and Storage (CCUS) solution.

“The Port of Corpus Christi remains committed to helping its customers meet the demand for American-produced energy now and into the future; while also continuing its evolution as a renewable energy hub,” said Charles W. Zahn.