Houston
Energy56
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
Tradeable Assets
How each asset relates to congestion at this port
Stocks
Flex LNG
LNG shipping — Houston LNG tanker clustering is a leading NG indicator
$114.68
▲ 2.03%
Golar LNG
LNG shipping + infrastructure · direct exposure to Gulf Coast export volumes
$49.61
▼ 1.00%
Futures
WTI Crude (futures)
Houston crude export surges tighten domestic supply — directly bullish CL
$92.41
▼ 2.33%
Natural Gas (futures)
LNG export demand at Houston translates directly to Henry Hub pressure
$3.23
▼ 2.18%
RBOB Gasoline (futures)
Refined product exports from Houston affect gasoline supply
$3.19
▼ 10.57%
ETFs
US Oil Fund ETF
ETF alternative to CL futures
$148.33
▼ 3.11%
US Natural Gas ETF
ETF alternative to NG futures
$11.13
▼ 3.64%
Energy Select SPDR ETF
Broad energy ETF — less precise but highly liquid
$62.04
▼ 0.89%
Current Snapshot
144
Total Vessels
1
Anchored
1%
Anchored %
2.8
Avg Dwell (hrs)
Vessel Types
1 vessels anchored (1%)
Anchored vessels waiting to load exports — sustained elevation can signal production surplus or logistical constraint.
59th percentile vs the last 30 days
Tanker Fleet Status
Crude tankers
2
0 at anchor
LNG carriers
0
0 at anchor
0
Inbound empty
ballast · underway
2
Laden
carrying cargo
0
Ballast · anchored
empty · waiting
| Vessel | Status | Cargo | Draught | Destination | Speed |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SOLAR KATHERINE | underway | Laden | 8.8m | USHOU | 0.1kn |
| YOKOSUKA SPIRIT | underway | Laden | 8.8m | USHOU | — |
Cargo status inferred from AIS-reported draught · ballast = empty inbound to load · laden = carrying cargo
Energy Fundamentals
EIA weekly · spreads calculated liveUS 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
Widening = logistics stress or US supply glut. Normal range $1–$5.
3-2-1 Crack Spread
$59.32
Refinery margin / bbl
High = strong product demand, bullish for crude. Low = demand weakness.
History
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 = -0.77 (strong inverse) · 10-day sample, directional not predictive
Port Throughput
74
Currently in port
126
Completed calls
2.8h
Avg dwell time
| Vessel | Class | Arrived | Departed | Dwell |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ALICANTE | tanker | 2026-09-26 | 2026-09-27 | 2h |
| YASA SATURN | unknown | 2026-09-26 | 2026-09-27 | 2h |
| CAPTAIN JERRY O | unknown | 2026-09-26 | 2026-09-27 | 2h |
| MILA KATE | unknown | 2026-09-26 | 2026-09-27 | 2h |
| CORYELL | unknown | 2026-09-26 | 2026-09-27 | 2h |
| ROY MICHAEL | unknown | 2026-09-26 | 2026-09-27 | 2h |
| DAVE LEBOEUF | unknown | 2026-09-26 | 2026-09-27 | 2h |
| MORGAN CITY | unknown | 2026-09-26 | 2026-09-27 | 2h |
| LADY OF PROMPT SUCCO | unknown | 2026-09-26 | 2026-09-27 | 2h |
| BOLIVAR POINT | unknown | 2026-09-26 | 2026-09-27 | 2h |
Signal History
14h 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 (14h 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%
closed
NG
$3.23
▼ 2.18%
closed
RB
$3.19
▼ 10.57%
closed
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
1d 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 (1d 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%
closed
NG
$3.23
▼ 2.18%
closed
RB
$3.19
▼ 10.57%
closed
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
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%
closed
NG
$3.23
▼ 2.18%
closed
RB
$3.19
▼ 10.57%
closed
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
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%
closed
NG
$3.23
▼ 2.18%
closed
RB
$3.19
▼ 10.57%
closed
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
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%
closed
NG
$3.23
▼ 2.18%
closed
RB
$3.19
▼ 10.57%
closed
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
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%
closed
NG
$3.23
▼ 2.18%
closed
RB
$3.19
▼ 10.57%
closed
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
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%
closed
NG
$3.23
▼ 2.18%
closed
RB
$3.19
▼ 10.57%
closed
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
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%
closed
NG
$3.23
▼ 2.18%
closed
RB
$3.19
▼ 10.57%
closed
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
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%
closed
NG
$3.23
▼ 2.18%
closed
RB
$3.19
▼ 10.57%
closed
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
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%
closed
NG
$3.23
▼ 2.18%
closed
RB
$3.19
▼ 10.57%
closed
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
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%
closed
NG
$3.23
▼ 2.18%
closed
RB
$3.19
▼ 10.57%
closed
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
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.