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Houston

Energy
USHOU

52

MED CONGESTION

Leading U.S. energy export hub for LNG, crude oil, and refined products. Closely tied to WTI crude (CL), natural gas (NG), and RBOB gasoline (RB). Tanker surges signal strong export demand and are bullish for energy ETFs.

Live Vessel Traffic

Real-time AIS positions
Vessel positions at Houston
136 vessels · 26 anchored
anchoredunderway·PassengerOpen full map ↗

Tradeable Assets

Live prices · 5-min cache

How each asset relates to congestion at this port

Stocks

FLEX
Primary

Flex LNG

LNG shipping — Houston LNG tanker clustering is a leading NG indicator

$114.68

▲ 2.03%

GLNG
Primary

Golar LNG

LNG shipping + infrastructure · direct exposure to Gulf Coast export volumes

$49.61

▼ 1.00%

Futures

CL
Primary

WTI Crude (futures)

Houston crude export surges tighten domestic supply — directly bullish CL

$92.41

▼ 2.33%

NG
Primary

Natural Gas (futures)

LNG export demand at Houston translates directly to Henry Hub pressure

$3.23

▼ 2.18%

RB
Secondary

RBOB Gasoline (futures)

Refined product exports from Houston affect gasoline supply

$3.19

▼ 10.57%

ETFs

USO
ETF/Hedge

US Oil Fund ETF

ETF alternative to CL futures

$148.33

▼ 3.11%

UNG
ETF/Hedge

US Natural Gas ETF

ETF alternative to NG futures

$11.13

▼ 3.64%

XLE
ETF/Hedge

Energy Select SPDR ETF

Broad energy ETF — less precise but highly liquid

$62.04

▼ 0.89%

Current Snapshot

47m ago

136

Total Vessels

1

Anchored

1%

Anchored %

3.1

Avg Dwell (hrs)

Vessel Types

Unknown 116 (85%)Other 16 (12%)Container 3 (2%)Passenger 1 (1%)
⚓
Floating StorageNORMAL

1 vessels anchored (1%)

Unknown 1 (100%)

Anchored vessels waiting to load exports — sustained elevation can signal production surplus or logistical constraint.

Congestion ScoreMED · 52 / 100
Low (0–30)Med (31–60)High (61–100)

48th percentile vs the last 30 days

Port baseline: ~132 vessels ± 30Currently: slightly above average (+0.1σ)446 snapshots

Energy Fundamentals

EIA weekly · spreads calculated live

US Crude Stocks

426,398k

bbls

+3.0M

BUILD

US commercial crude stocks — build = bearish, draw = bullish

Cushing Stocks

23,748k

bbls

+2.3M

BUILD

WTI delivery hub — high stocks suppress futures price

Brent-WTI Spread

$5.03

BZ − CL

WIDE

Widening = logistics stress or US supply glut. Normal range $1–$5.

3-2-1 Crack Spread

$59.32

Refinery margin / bbl

STRONG

High = strong product demand, bullish for crude. Low = demand weakness.

CL
$92.41▼ 2.33%
BZ
$97.44▼ 8.59%
NG
$3.23▼ 2.18%
HO
$4.46▼ 5.67%
RB
$3.19▼ 10.57%

History

FLEX overlayDeep compare →

Congestion score · grey band = 7d normal range · Vessel count (dashed) · FLEX price (purple)

Lead-lag: over the last 30 days, Houston congestion led FLEX by 6 days · r = -0.75 (strong inverse) · 10-day sample, directional not predictive

Port Throughput

30-day vessel calls

63

Currently in port

137

Completed calls

3.1h

Avg dwell time

VesselClassArrivedDepartedDwell
CL JIANGMENcontainer2026-09-272026-09-272h
ECOFUTUREunknown2026-09-272026-09-272h
CAPT TOM ECHOLS SRunknown2026-09-272026-09-272h
MALLORY BRADYunknown2026-09-272026-09-272h
DELFRED ROMEROunknown2026-09-272026-09-272h
QUENTINunknown2026-09-272026-09-272h
CLAXTONunknown2026-09-272026-09-272h
STOLT AGUILAunknown2026-09-272026-09-272h
MALLARDunknown2026-09-272026-09-273h
LAUREN MARIEunknown2026-09-272026-09-273h

Signal History

11 signals · 30 days
BEARISH●○○ Single trigger

18h ago

Houston Congestion Relief: Bearish energy

Houston shows Congestion score 44 is 1.8σ below same-hour baseline (avg 60). This typically leads energy markets by 5-10 days, supporting a bearish read on CL (currently $86.06, -1.6% 5d).

Triggered By

▼

Congestion score 44 is 1.8σ below same-hour baseline (avg 60)

Trade Idea

Short CL (currently $86.06, -1.6% 5d) while congestion holds below 44 for 2+ consecutive polls; target a 3-7 days hold as port data typically leads energy by ~5-10 days.

Any prices referenced are as of the signal time (18h ago) — check the live tape before acting.

Entry

Congestion holds below 44 for 2+ consecutive polls

Invalidation

congestionScore reverts toward baseline (60) within 48h, or CL rises above $88.64

Horizon

3-7 days

Affected Assets

CL

$92.41

▼ 2.33%

NG

$3.23

▼ 2.18%

RB

$3.19

▼ 10.57%

USO

$148.33

▼ 3.11%

closed

UNG

$11.13

▼ 3.64%

closed

XLE

$62.04

▼ 0.89%

closed

⚠ An OPEC+ guidance change or macro demand shock could override this port-level signal.

Systematic signal · rule-based engine

Track record →View detail →
BULLISH●○○ Single trigger

2d ago

Houston Congestion Spike: Bullish energy

Houston shows Congestion score 79 is 1.8σ above same-hour baseline (avg 57). This typically leads energy markets by 5-10 days, supporting a bullish read on FLEX (currently $112.4, +4.2% 5d). Note: the asset has already moved in this direction over the past week, so part of the move may be priced in.

Triggered By

▲

Congestion score 79 is 1.8σ above same-hour baseline (avg 57)

Trade Idea

Long FLEX (currently $112.4, +4.2% 5d) while congestion holds above 79 for 2+ consecutive polls; target a 3-7 days hold as port data typically leads energy by ~5-10 days.

Any prices referenced are as of the signal time (2d ago) — check the live tape before acting.

Entry

Congestion holds above 79 for 2+ consecutive polls

Invalidation

congestionScore reverts toward baseline (57) within 48h, or FLEX falls below $109.03

Horizon

3-7 days

Affected Assets

FLEX

$114.68

▲ 2.03%

closed

GLNG

$49.61

▼ 1.00%

closed

CL

$92.41

▼ 2.33%

NG

$3.23

▼ 2.18%

RB

$3.19

▼ 10.57%

USO

$148.33

▼ 3.11%

closed

UNG

$11.13

▼ 3.64%

closed

XLE

$62.04

▼ 0.89%

closed

⚠ Much of the move may already be priced in. An OPEC+ guidance change or macro demand shock could override this port-level signal.

Systematic signal · rule-based engine

Track record →View detail →
BEARISH●○○ Single trigger

3d ago

Houston Congestion Relief: Bearish energy

Houston shows Congestion score 31 is 1.8σ below same-hour baseline (avg 54). This typically leads energy markets by 5-10 days, supporting a bearish read on CL (currently $86.705, -0.3% 5d).

Triggered By

▼

Congestion score 31 is 1.8σ below same-hour baseline (avg 54)

Trade Idea

Short CL (currently $86.705, -0.3% 5d) while congestion holds below 31 for 2+ consecutive polls; target a 3-7 days hold as port data typically leads energy by ~5-10 days.

Any prices referenced are as of the signal time (3d ago) — check the live tape before acting.

Entry

Congestion holds below 31 for 2+ consecutive polls

Invalidation

congestionScore reverts toward baseline (54) within 48h, or CL rises above $89.31

Horizon

3-7 days

Affected Assets

CL

$92.41

▼ 2.33%

NG

$3.23

▼ 2.18%

RB

$3.19

▼ 10.57%

USO

$148.33

▼ 3.11%

closed

UNG

$11.13

▼ 3.64%

closed

XLE

$62.04

▼ 0.89%

closed

⚠ An OPEC+ guidance change or macro demand shock could override this port-level signal.

Systematic signal · rule-based engine

Track record →View detail →
BEARISH●○○ Single trigger

5d ago

Houston Congestion Relief: Bearish energy

Houston shows Congestion score 29 is 2σ below same-hour baseline (avg 55). This typically leads energy markets by 5-10 days, supporting a bearish read on CL (currently $86.09, -2% 5d).

Triggered By

▼

Congestion score 29 is 2σ below same-hour baseline (avg 55)

Trade Idea

Short CL (currently $86.09, -2% 5d) while congestion holds below 29 for 2+ consecutive polls; target a 3-7 days hold as port data typically leads energy by ~5-10 days.

Any prices referenced are as of the signal time (5d ago) — check the live tape before acting.

Entry

Congestion holds below 29 for 2+ consecutive polls

Invalidation

congestionScore reverts toward baseline (55) within 48h, or CL rises above $88.67

Horizon

3-7 days

Affected Assets

CL

$92.41

▼ 2.33%

NG

$3.23

▼ 2.18%

RB

$3.19

▼ 10.57%

USO

$148.33

▼ 3.11%

closed

UNG

$11.13

▼ 3.64%

closed

XLE

$62.04

▼ 0.89%

closed

⚠ An OPEC+ guidance change or macro demand shock could override this port-level signal.

Systematic signal · rule-based engine

Track record →View detail →
BEARISH●○○ Single trigger

6d ago

Houston Congestion Relief: Bearish energy

Houston shows Congestion score 26 is 2.2σ below same-hour baseline (avg 54). This typically leads energy markets by 5-10 days, supporting a bearish read on CL (currently $87.47, +0.8% 5d).

Triggered By

▼

Congestion score 26 is 2.2σ below same-hour baseline (avg 54)

Trade Idea

Short CL (currently $87.47, +0.8% 5d) while congestion holds below 26 for 2+ consecutive polls; target a 3-7 days hold as port data typically leads energy by ~5-10 days.

Any prices referenced are as of the signal time (6d ago) — check the live tape before acting.

Entry

Congestion holds below 26 for 2+ consecutive polls

Invalidation

congestionScore reverts toward baseline (54) within 48h, or CL rises above $90.09

Horizon

3-7 days

Affected Assets

CL

$92.41

▼ 2.33%

NG

$3.23

▼ 2.18%

RB

$3.19

▼ 10.57%

USO

$148.33

▼ 3.11%

closed

UNG

$11.13

▼ 3.64%

closed

XLE

$62.04

▼ 0.89%

closed

⚠ An OPEC+ guidance change or macro demand shock could override this port-level signal.

Systematic signal · rule-based engine

Track record →View detail →
BEARISH●○○ Single trigger

7d ago

Houston Congestion Relief: Bearish energy

Houston shows Congestion score 33 is 1.7σ below same-hour baseline (avg 55). This typically leads energy markets by 5-10 days, supporting a bearish read on CL (currently $87.47, +0.8% 5d).

Triggered By

▼

Congestion score 33 is 1.7σ below same-hour baseline (avg 55)

Trade Idea

Short CL (currently $87.47, +0.8% 5d) while congestion holds below 33 for 2+ consecutive polls; target a 3-7 days hold as port data typically leads energy by ~5-10 days.

Any prices referenced are as of the signal time (7d ago) — check the live tape before acting.

Entry

Congestion holds below 33 for 2+ consecutive polls

Invalidation

congestionScore reverts toward baseline (55) within 48h, or CL rises above $90.09

Horizon

3-7 days

Affected Assets

CL

$92.41

▼ 2.33%

NG

$3.23

▼ 2.18%

RB

$3.19

▼ 10.57%

USO

$148.33

▼ 3.11%

closed

UNG

$11.13

▼ 3.64%

closed

XLE

$62.04

▼ 0.89%

closed

⚠ An OPEC+ guidance change or macro demand shock could override this port-level signal.

Systematic signal · rule-based engine

Track record →View detail →
BULLISH●○○ Single trigger

8d ago

Houston Vessel Surge: Bullish energy

Houston shows Vessel count 187 is 1.7σ above same-hour baseline (avg 118). This typically leads energy markets by 5-10 days, supporting a bullish read on FLEX (currently $108.085, -6.6% 5d).

Triggered By

▲

Vessel count 187 is 1.7σ above same-hour baseline (avg 118)

Trade Idea

Long FLEX (currently $108.085, -6.6% 5d) while vessel count holds above 187 into the next poll; target a 3-7 days hold as port data typically leads energy by ~5-10 days.

Any prices referenced are as of the signal time (8d ago) — check the live tape before acting.

Entry

Vessel count holds above 187 into the next poll

Invalidation

vesselCount reverts toward baseline (118) within 48h, or FLEX falls below $104.84

Horizon

3-7 days

Affected Assets

FLEX

$114.68

▲ 2.03%

closed

GLNG

$49.61

▼ 1.00%

closed

CL

$92.41

▼ 2.33%

NG

$3.23

▼ 2.18%

RB

$3.19

▼ 10.57%

USO

$148.33

▼ 3.11%

closed

UNG

$11.13

▼ 3.64%

closed

XLE

$62.04

▼ 0.89%

closed

⚠ An OPEC+ guidance change or macro demand shock could override this port-level signal.

Systematic signal · rule-based engine

Track record →View detail →
BEARISH●○○ Single trigger

10d ago

Houston Congestion Relief: Bearish energy

Houston shows Congestion score 38 is 1.9σ below same-hour baseline (avg 59). This typically leads energy markets by 5-10 days, supporting a bearish read on CL (currently $87.02, -1.6% 5d).

Triggered By

▼

Congestion score 38 is 1.9σ below same-hour baseline (avg 59)

Trade Idea

Short CL (currently $87.02, -1.6% 5d) while congestion holds below 38 for 2+ consecutive polls; target a 3-7 days hold as port data typically leads energy by ~5-10 days.

Any prices referenced are as of the signal time (10d ago) — check the live tape before acting.

Entry

Congestion holds below 38 for 2+ consecutive polls

Invalidation

congestionScore reverts toward baseline (59) within 48h, or CL rises above $89.63

Horizon

3-7 days

Affected Assets

CL

$92.41

▼ 2.33%

NG

$3.23

▼ 2.18%

RB

$3.19

▼ 10.57%

USO

$148.33

▼ 3.11%

closed

UNG

$11.13

▼ 3.64%

closed

XLE

$62.04

▼ 0.89%

closed

⚠ An OPEC+ guidance change or macro demand shock could override this port-level signal.

Systematic signal · rule-based engine

Track record →View detail →
BEARISH●○○ Single trigger

12d ago

Houston Congestion Relief: Bearish energy

Houston shows Congestion score 37 is 1.7σ below same-hour baseline (avg 59). This typically leads energy markets by 5-10 days, supporting a bearish read on CL (currently $87.89, -2.4% 5d).

Triggered By

▼

Congestion score 37 is 1.7σ below same-hour baseline (avg 59)

Trade Idea

Short CL (currently $87.89, -2.4% 5d) while congestion holds below 37 for 2+ consecutive polls; target a 3-7 days hold as port data typically leads energy by ~5-10 days.

Any prices referenced are as of the signal time (12d ago) — check the live tape before acting.

Entry

Congestion holds below 37 for 2+ consecutive polls

Invalidation

congestionScore reverts toward baseline (59) within 48h, or CL rises above $90.53

Horizon

3-7 days

Affected Assets

CL

$92.41

▼ 2.33%

NG

$3.23

▼ 2.18%

RB

$3.19

▼ 10.57%

USO

$148.33

▼ 3.11%

closed

UNG

$11.13

▼ 3.64%

closed

XLE

$62.04

▼ 0.89%

closed

⚠ An OPEC+ guidance change or macro demand shock could override this port-level signal.

Systematic signal · rule-based engine

Track record →View detail →
BULLISH●○○ Single trigger

17d ago

Houston Vessel Surge: Bullish energy

Houston shows Vessel count 185 is 1.8σ above same-hour baseline (avg 97). This typically leads energy markets by 5-10 days, supporting a bullish read on FLEX (currently $114.31, +4.6% 5d). Note: the asset has already moved in this direction over the past week, so part of the move may be priced in.

Triggered By

▲

Vessel count 185 is 1.8σ above same-hour baseline (avg 97)

Trade Idea

Long FLEX (currently $114.31, +4.6% 5d) while vessel count holds above 185 into the next poll; target a 3-7 days hold as port data typically leads energy by ~5-10 days.

Any prices referenced are as of the signal time (17d ago) — check the live tape before acting.

Entry

Vessel count holds above 185 into the next poll

Invalidation

vesselCount reverts toward baseline (97) within 48h, or FLEX falls below $110.88

Horizon

3-7 days

Affected Assets

FLEX

$114.68

▲ 2.03%

closed

GLNG

$49.61

▼ 1.00%

closed

CL

$92.41

▼ 2.33%

NG

$3.23

▼ 2.18%

RB

$3.19

▼ 10.57%

USO

$148.33

▼ 3.11%

closed

UNG

$11.13

▼ 3.64%

closed

XLE

$62.04

▼ 0.89%

closed

⚠ Much of the move may already be priced in. An OPEC+ guidance change or macro demand shock could override this port-level signal.

Systematic signal · rule-based engine

Track record →View detail →
BULLISH●○○ Single trigger

23d ago

Houston Vessel Surge: Bullish energy

Houston shows Vessel count 114 is 1.9σ above same-hour baseline (avg 70). This typically leads energy markets by 5-10 days, supporting a bullish read on FLEX (currently $107.585, -3.8% 5d).

Triggered By

▲

Vessel count 114 is 1.9σ above same-hour baseline (avg 70)

Trade Idea

Long FLEX (currently $107.585, -3.8% 5d) while vessel count holds above 114 into the next poll; target a 3-7 days hold as port data typically leads energy by ~5-10 days.

Any prices referenced are as of the signal time (23d ago) — check the live tape before acting.

Entry

Vessel count holds above 114 into the next poll

Invalidation

vesselCount reverts toward baseline (70) within 48h, or FLEX falls below $104.36

Horizon

3-7 days

Affected Assets

FLEX

$114.68

▲ 2.03%

closed

GLNG

$49.61

▼ 1.00%

closed

CL

$92.41

▼ 2.33%

NG

$3.23

▼ 2.18%

RB

$3.19

▼ 10.57%

USO

$148.33

▼ 3.11%

closed

UNG

$11.13

▼ 3.64%

closed

XLE

$62.04

▼ 0.89%

closed

⚠ An OPEC+ guidance change or macro demand shock could override this port-level signal.

Systematic signal · rule-based engine

Track record →View detail →

About Houston

Why does Houston port congestion matter for traders?

Leading U.S. energy export hub for LNG, crude oil, and refined products. Closely tied to WTI crude (CL), natural gas (NG), and RBOB gasoline (RB). Tanker surges signal strong export demand and are bullish for energy ETFs.

Which stocks, futures, and ETFs are correlated with Houston?

HarborSignal tracks FLEX, GLNG, CL, NG, RB, USO, UNG, XLE against Houston vessel activity. Port flows tend to lead these markets by roughly 5–10 days.

How is Houston congestion measured?

Vessel positions are collected hourly from AIS transponder data. A congestion score is derived from vessel count and the anchored ratio, then z-scored against a 30-day same-hour baseline to flag anomalies.