Port Houston
ThE Economic Engine of the Region Houston Houstonisisa avibrant, vibrant,growing, growing,international internationalcity cityfueled fueledbybytrade, trade, which whichcertainly certainlyshows showsininthe theport’s port’strade tradestatistics. statistics. Statistical Highlights
•1st ranked U.S. port in foreign waterborne tonnage •3rd ranked U.S. port in terms of total foreign cargo value (based on U.S. Department of Commerce, Bureau of Census) •6th ranked U.S. container port by total TEUs in 2017 •Largest Gulf Coast container port, handling 68% of U.S. Gulf Coast container traffic in 2017 •Largest Texas port with 45% of market share by tonnage and 96% market shar in containers by total TEUs in 2017 •2nd ranked U.S. port in total tonnage
Sources: USACE Navigation Data Center (facts 1,2), JOC PIERS, American Association of Port Authorities (facts 3, 4b, 5), U.S. Department of Commerce Bureau of Census, Customs Data from Census Bureau.
Since its beginning in 1911 when a campaign was launched to persuade voters in Houston to approve $1.25 million in bonds to pay for the local share to dredge the waterway, Port Houston has proven to be an economic engine for the City of Houston, state of Texas and the nation. Completed in 1914 the port has a proud history of economic development impacting hundreds of thousands of jobs in Texas. Today the Port boasts significant impact in global trade. An economic powerhouse, Port Houston accounts for 1.2 million jobs in Texas with an annual economic impact in excess of $265 Billion dollars. The Port’s container capacity has increased annually to where in 2017 the Port handled nearly 2.46 million containers (a whopping 68% of the U.S. container traffic on the Gulf Coast.) With two container terminals at Barbour’s Cut and Bayport Port Houston is ready for the increased exports of chemical and plastic products coming on line in the next three to five years. The port has budgeted hundreds of millions of dollars for improvements ($344 million in 2017 and $200 million in 2017) to expand the capacity of its terminals. Installation of large post-Panamax capable cranes at both terminals assures that the largest vessels entering the Ship Channel can be loaded and unloaded with ease. Shippers from around the world receive and drop off cargo through Port Houston. Over 25 container and cargo ship companies have regular service into and out of the port.
