Crowley Launches Weekly Houston-Central America Container Service
Crowley is introducing a weekly container service linking Port Houston with Santo Tomás de Castilla in Guatemala and Puerto Cortés in Honduras. The Gulf-Central America Express Service will handle dry and refrigerated cargo, including fresh produce, apparel and industrial goods.
The Gulf-Central America Express Service is scheduled to make its first call at Houston on September 10, with departures taking place on Thursdays. The route will provide shippers with an additional direct connection for cargo moving between the US Gulf and Central America.
Crowley plans to carry both dry and refrigerated containers on the service. Target cargoes include fresh produce, apparel, industrial products and consumer goods moving through maritime and inland supply chains.
The available equipment will include 53-foot containers, which are intended to support intermodal efficiency in the markets served. Their inclusion will allow cargo owners to use larger container units for movements that combine ocean transport with inland distribution.
The service is being introduced amid growth in Central American exports to the United States. According to figures cited from the Inter-American Development Bank, year-over-year shipments increased by 15.7% in early 2026, with demand for fresh produce identified as a significant driver.
Port Houston handles approximately 75% of US Gulf container volume and is described as one of the five largest and fastest-growing container ports in the country. Its inland links offer Central American exporters access to markets in Texas, the Midwest and on the West Coast.
By adding the weekly route, Crowley aims to provide another transport option for exporters, importers and retailers using the US-Central America trade corridor. The connection is also expected to link Houston more directly with food products, manufactured goods and broader commercial activity moving between the two regions.
Crowley operates as a provider of logistics, marine and energy solutions. The new service expands its container offering in a trade where refrigerated capacity and inland connectivity are important for time-sensitive produce and other consumer cargoes.