On Thursday, May 21, the Port Commission of the Port of Houston Authority met for its regular monthly meeting, highlighting continued progress along the Houston Ship Channel and advancing key initiatives supporting infrastructure, operations, and long-term growth.
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Vessel movement along the Houston Ship Channel.
Port Commission Chairman Ric Campo opened the meeting by recognizing growth in the local maritime workforce, noting there were 100 maritime graduates this year across five local high schools representing several independent school districts. In recognition of National Maritime Day on May 22, Chairman Campo also recognized the role of the marine transportation system in global commerce and thanked the seafarers and maritime workforce who help keep the Houston Ship Channel moving.
Chairman Campo and Port Houston CEO Charlie Jenkins both emphasized the port’s role as the major advocate for the entire port region, recapping several meetings port leadership and other industry leaders recently held with elected officials.
“In addition to permitting matters, the main topics in these meetings included the need for continued investment in the Houston Ship Channel and other waterways as well as roads, the Coastal Texas Project, the importance of Texas energy exports to the world and the American economy, and the need for investment in modernizing vessel traffic service to ensure safe navigation,” said Jenkins.
During the meeting, the Commission received an update regarding cargo and vessel activity across the Houston Ship Channel, which includes more than 200 private facilities, in addition to Port Houston’s eight public facilities. Vessel activity along the nation’s number one waterway continues to rise, up 5% compared to last year, and matching vessel arrival counts last seen in 2019. However, first quarter tonnage has increased 27% since first quarter 2019 as increased vessel sizes and improved efficiencies from Project 11 enable increased cargo flow with the same number of vessels. Additional information is detailed in a press release found here.
Additional Meeting Updates:
- At Barbours Cut Terminal, four new ship-to-shore cranes were successfully commissioned, bringing the full fleet of 17 cranes into service at that terminal.
- The Port Commission approved to adopt a resolution authorizing entry into an interlocal agreement with the State of Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) for proposed roadway improvements at Red Bluff Road between SH 146 northbound frontage road and Port Authority property for improved access, mobility and safety.
- Two port-led contracts for the Houston Ship Channel Expansion – Project 11 are in the final stages of completing beneficial use features, including Three Bird Island and Marsh Cell M11.
- It was also announced that Port Houston’s 2026 Community Grant recipients will now be unveiled at the July 2026 Community Relations Committee meeting.
During the meeting, Port Houston also highlighted its role as a sponsor of the 39th annual American Society of Civil Engineers International Conference on Coastal Engineering in Galveston, which brought together 1,000 global researchers and coastal engineering professionals. As part of the conference, Port Houston also hosted a technical tour for approximately 100 attendees aboard the M/V Sam Houston for a tour of the Houston Ship Channel.
The Port Commission will meet next on Tuesday, July 21, 2026. Please note there is no meeting scheduled for June.
About Port Houston
For more than 100 years, Port Houston has owned and operated the public wharves and terminals along the Houston Ship Channel, including the area’s largest breakbulk facility and two of the most efficient container terminals in the country. Port Houston is the advocate and a strategic leader for the Channel. The Houston Ship Channel complex and its more than 200 private and eight public terminals is the nation’s largest port for waterborne tonnage and an essential economic engine for the Houston region, the state of Texas and the U.S. The Port of Houston supports the creation of nearly 1.5 million jobs in Texas and 3.37 million jobs nationwide, and economic activity totaling $439 billion in Texas and $906 billion in economic impact across the nation. For more information, visit the website at PortHouston.com.
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