Port Houston hosted the Consul General of France, Alexis Andres, and his staff for a briefing and tour March 20 at the Executive Building.

Executive Director Roger Guenther provided an overview of the organization’s history, economic impact and the Houston Ship Channel.

“Our revenue here drives economic activity,” said Guenther, who noted 1.2 million direct and indirect jobs have been created in the region due to the impact of the port.

Chief Port Infrastructure Officer Richard Byrnes discussed the port’s infrastructure, freight mobility and capital improvement projects.

“The Houston Ship Channel represents an investment as the port is the local sponsor for the waterway. We also invest in technology and look at other trends that are emerging,” said Byrnes.

Major French companies that operate along the Houston Ship Channel include Louis Dreyfus, Total Petrochemicals and shipping conglomerate CMA GGM. France imports from Houston include aircraft parts, medical instruments and gas turbines.

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Port Houston hosted a Romanian delegation at the port’s executive building March 14. The country has been making advances in manufacturing and technology and the delegation requested a briefing from several Houston agencies during their Texas visit.

Chief Legal Officer Erik Eriksson discussed the port’s public terminal and operations, as well as cargo commodities. Foreign Trade Zone and Economic Development Manager Shane Williams discussed the port’s FTZ program, and how it is a benefit for U.S. commerce and markets.

“There is a $7 billion value in cargo that flows through foreign trade zones,” Williams said.

Every state in the U.S. has a foreign trade zone and Texas has seen more user growth in recent years, Williams noted. He explained the cargo process for foreign trade zones and also discussed Houston’s rising distribution activity and container trade share.

Port Houston’s Bayport Container Terminal that was opened in 2007 is being built out in phases, while the port’s Barbours Cut Terminal remains an essential facility for container shipping.

Houston is the fourth largest metropolitan area in the U.S and is the largest container port on the Gulf Coast.

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