More than 750 local and overseas attendees from diverse sectors in maritime, energy, and supply chain joined forces and gathered for the 3-day event. Kicking off day one of the conference was the HIMC24 Golf Tournament and Welcome Reception.

Day 2 and 3 were all about panel discussions, fireside chats, and interactive networking sessions. Participants explored strategies to enhance operational efficiency, strengthen customer relations, and build a more resilient supply chain that supports both domestic and international markets.

Attendees also received an overview about the Foreign Trade Zone 84 (FTZ 84) program and how Port Houston’s Economic Development team  can assist in the application process for new users, as well as the benefits the federal program provides to businesses. Benefits include significant advantages, such as duty savings, reduced tax rates on stored goods, as well as streamlined international trade operations. FTZ 84's service area covers over 4,000 acres across Harris, Waller and Wharton counties, and is highlighted as one of the largest in the U.S..

Some of the sessions included presentations by Commissioner Carl Bentzel of the Federal Maritime Commission (FMC), who led a compelling “Waterside Chat,” where he addressed regulatory trends and highlighted the importance of efficiency in adapting to the evolving challenges of global trade. Dr. Ricaurte Vásquez, Administrator of the Panama Canal Authority, delivered a powerful keynote offering a global perspective on the Panama Canal’s role in trade logistics, emphasizing the significance of strategic partnerships and continuous improvement. Meanwhile, Hall of Fame basketball legend Clyde Drexler joined Houston broadcaster Bill Worrell for an engaging conversation, drawing parallels between sports and the maritime industry to illustrate the importance of strong leadership and collaboration in navigating complex challenges.

The success of HIMC24 wouldn’t have been possible without the generous support of our sponsors. Their contributions helped bring together industry leaders and create an environment for meaningful discussions. A heartfelt thank you to all our sponsors for their commitment to supporting this vital event.

An attendee shared, “HIMC24 provided a remarkable opportunity to connect with industry leaders and gain fresh perspectives. I left inspired and equipped for what’s ahead.” The conference’s emphasis on collaboration created a ripple effect, enabling participants to implement knowledge within their organizations while fostering a more connected industry.

The importance of collaboration in driving resilience and growth within the maritime industry was highlighted during the presentation of the Lone Star Award. This year, the Houston Pilots were honored for their steadfast dedication to ensuring the safe and efficient navigation of foreign and domestic vessels through the Houston Ship Channel, the nation’s busiest waterway.

CEO of Port Houston, Charlie Jenkins emphasized, “There are so many people here at HIMC24, in all sides of the supply chain industry, talking through complex issues, coming up with good ideas and great solutions. I find it to be very valuable.”

As the maritime industry continues to evolve, HIMC24 proved essential in uniting leaders to address challenges and develop sustainable strategies for the future. Port Houston looks forward to continuing this momentum with next year’s conference, bringing even more opportunities to strengthen the maritime community and global commerce.

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More than half of the region’s maritime workers are age 50 or older and quickly approaching retirement. There is a growing need for talent in all areas of maritime and industry-related occupations, including transportation, logistics and supply chain management, environmental, security, emergency management and various positions with ocean-going carriers.

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Maersk’s rainbow container made its way around the world to Port Houston’s Barbours Cut Container Terminal. This colorful container has served as a symbol of equity, inclusion and diversity where all employees, partners, and customers feel welcomed and can be themselves without judgment or fear.

The container not only serves as a symbol for Maersk, but also the entire maritime industry. The maritime industry has historically been a predominantly male world, but the industry is seeing more women and minorities entering the maritime workforce. According to the Diversity Study Group in London, employers are embracing the benefits of DEI data to support decision-making and respond to the growing importance of DEI issues.

As an international port in the most diverse city in the U.S., Port Houston has a duty to encourage and stimulate diversity, equity and inclusion in the maritime industry. In May of 2021, Port Houston formalized its commitment by officially adopting a Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Position Statement. Additionally, DEI was formally established as a key priority for Port Houston with the adoption of the 2020 Strategic Plan providing direction for the entire organization.

Tom Heidt, Port Houston Chief Operating Officer, states that from his perspective, diversity can develop naturally as you strive for inclusion. He is challenging himself to intentionally bring more and different perspectives to the table, and he reminded everyone that we can all ask if we want to be included in something.

One of Port Houston’s strategic goals is to become “the best place to work.” Creating the right environment is a must to attract the specialized talent required by our multifaceted operations. A workplace culture that supports the success, psychological safety and professional confidence of every individual is the ultimate goal.

Kerrick Henny, Port Houston's Chief Government & Public Relations Officer, states that as a black man growing up two miles from the port, he recognizes that fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace is not only morally right but also great for our business. A culture of DEI means every employee is supported, accepted, respected and safe at work, which leads to greater morale and results.

Port Houston has a tremendous opportunity to be an agent of positive change in our region and beyond, and we are grabbing that opportunity.

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Caption: Jennifer Williams-Alcia

Jennifer Williams-Alcia’s career path at Port Houston has blossomed since she started working as an intern at the port in 2015. Today, she is a full-time employee – a mechanic, and also an ambassador, on the Port’s popular Sam Houston Boat Tour.

While the New York native had always wanted to be a veterinarian, that changed after she saw an advertisement for maritime education and became interested in being a merchant mariner. “The more I read on mariners, the more I learned about the industry,” she said. That led to her eventually applying to maritime programs, getting accepted to San Jacinto College and moving to Texas. She graduated from San Jacinto College’s Maritime Transportation Program in 2016 and began working at Port Houston full-time soon after that. Since those early days, she had her eyes set on a career in the maritime industry.

“Since working for Port Houston, my career has skyrocketed,” said Williams-Alcia. “Within a short amount of time, I was given the opportunity to advance from a deckhand to a mechanic, and I am on track to getting my captain’s license.”

The training to obtain her 500-ton Captain’s license requires rigorous testing as well as fulfilling numerous sea hours. Since the Sam Houston Boat Tour is itself an educational operation, Williams-Alcia had a uniquely holistic perspective on the importance of maritime education when she was asked to participate in the “Roundtable for Infrastructure” with U.S. Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi and U.S. Representatives Sylvia Garcia and Sheila Jackson Lee. She was invited to participate in the roundtable by San Jacinto College Chancellor Brenda Hellyer and Professor Amy Arrowood to share her perspective as a maritime student and professional.

“Being able to participate on the infrastructure roundtable with the highly-respected public officials was a great honor,” said Williams-Alcia.  “I felt incredibly grateful to have been included in such an important discussion. I was in awe to see how different organizations can work together to help each other and benefit the industry,” she noted.

Even though the Sam Houston Boat Tour is temporarily closed due to COVID-19, Port Houston has a virtual tour video that you can watch here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FE_RHOBnnGE. This video shows waterway activity during normal tour operations.

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All of the Port Commissioners will play a role in this council, and this updated platform will help Port Houston leadership better engage community stakeholders who have a vested interest in what we do and who are, in some way, connected to our mission. Members of the council include representatives from Pleasantville, the West Gulf Maritime Association, Harris County, Air Alliance and recreational users of Galveston Bay, among others. The council members will serve 2-year terms. 

“Consistent with our recently adopted strategic plan where Partnerships is a strategic goal, this council will help promote deeper engagement and understanding between local communities and Port Houston, as we work to provide a more open line of communication and robust dialog opportunities,” said Ric Campo, Port Houston Chairman.

Port Houston is committed to building and strengthening partnerships with its surrounding neighbors and seeking greater community and stakeholder involvement in the activities of the organization.  “As a neighbor to many, it’s important that Port Houston continues to build strong relationships with the community. Whether working on smaller, very localized initiatives or something like the Houston Ship Channel Expansion – Project 11, those community relationships play a key role in our success,” said Leslie Herbst, director of community relations and events for Port Houston.

Learn more about our community engagement here: https://porthouston.com/community-outreach/.

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Caption: Peninsula Road

The $12.7 million Peninsula Road construction project near Port Houston's Jacintoport and CARE Terminals has been completed. The two-way road was widened to accommodate three lanes inbound and one lane outbound and will greatly improve traffic flow and safety. The project was completed by Harris Co. Precinct 2 in partnership with the Texas Department of Transportation and Port Houston. The improvement, which took nearly 18 months to complete, is expected to bring $123 million in benefits to the Houston region over 10 years.

The area was one of the most congested roads in the port region and resulted in a number of accidents. In addition to improving the congestion and safety of this area, the project benefits include decreasing supply chain costs. Rail crossing safety has also been improved, with train signals added at six locations and crossing arms at five of those locations. The rail crossings are operated by Port Terminal Railroad Association and Union Pacific.

Port Houston contributed $800,000 to the project. The Port also facilitated Harris County’s participation in the Texas Legislature’s Rider 48 Grant Program and the project was awarded up to $10.2 million.

“Port Houston is proud to have worked on sourcing project funding on behalf of our industrial and governmental stakeholders on this project and appreciates their involvement in making this happen,” said Bruce Mann, freight mobility director for Port Houston. “It has been great to be part of this project from the beginning, and to now see the de-bottlenecking that has occurred and the significant improvements to safety for both the railroad and roadway users.”

“This project will make a big difference in our county’s infrastructure,” said Adrian Garcia, commissioner for Harris County Precinct 2. “This road has been overdue for an upgrade to handle heavy truck use for many years, and I am very pleased that it’s now complete. I want to thank our partners at Port Houston and TXDOT for their hard work in upgrading this roadway.”

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Caption: Quintin Reynolds

It takes a lot of hands to move cargo across Port Houston’s docks, including the maintenance staff, who support Port Houston’s equipment and assets. One of the essential Port employees working on the front lines throughout the COVID-19 pandemic is Quintin Reynolds, a maintenance foreman at the Barbours Cut Container Terminal, who recently received recognition for 45 years of service at Port Houston.

Reynolds and his department is responsible for maintaining daily equipment readiness for 15 ship-to-shore (STS) cranes at the facility. These cranes are some of the Port’s critical operational assets and are the primary maritime industry equipment for loading and unloading containers. The job can be challenging – the number one goal of the maintenance department is to keep downtime at the terminal to a minimum. In this high tempo work environment, Port Houston strives to maintain a 15-minute repair rate and 99 percent crane uptime.

It’s a job Reynolds takes seriously. “Being an essential employee during these unprecedented times is an honor. Maintenance plays a vital role in operations at Port Houston to keep our supply chains moving,” said Reynolds.

In his 45 years of experience working for Port Houston, he’s never experienced a world-wide situation like COVID-19, he noted. “It’s a severe concern, and Port Houston has quickly mitigated the potential issues and allowed for business to continue under these circumstances,” said Reynolds. “I’m proud to be a part of this team and contribute to the greater community that relies on us.”

Reynolds joined the Port in 1975 as a laborer assigned to the Public Grain Elevator and advanced up the ladder quickly in the maintenance department to become a millwright. After 17 years at the Turning Basin terminal, he moved to the Barbours Cut Container Terminal and has been there ever since. During his career at Port Houston, Reynolds has participated in 13 container crane inspection trips to Asia, where the equipment is built. He has had the opportunity to see the cranes constructed, from the time they were pieces of steel plate to when they became finished products and were loaded for transport to Houston.

His son Bodie is also a foreman in the maintenance department at the Barbours Cut Container Terminal. “It is a father’s dream to watch my son evolve into a position that most aspire and do not obtain until several years of service,” said Reynolds. “It’s exciting to see my son follow in my footsteps.”

Reynolds was recognized at the January Port Commission meeting by Executive Director Roger Guenther and the Port Commission for his years of dedicated service. “I enjoy my work because it is not a routine job and no two days are the same,” he said. “Being a Port Houston employee means a lot to me. My job at the Port has given me a good income to provide for my family. Serving the Port for 45 years is by far one of my greatest achievements in my lifetime.”

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Cheryl D. Creuzot has been appointed to the Port Commission of the Port of Houston Authority by the City of Houston.

Creuzot is the president and chief executive officer of Wealth Development Strategies, LLC, a position she has held since 2001. The company, which is one of Houston's oldest comprehensive financial planning firms, offers personalized solutions for individuals and business professionals who want to protect, grow and efficiently distribute their wealth.

She is a director at the Greater Houston Partnership and on the board of several organizations, including: The University of Houston Board of Visitors, the University of Houston Foundation and the Board of Visitors of the MD Anderson Cancer Center. Creuzot succeeds Theldon Branch III, who has served as a Port Commissioner since 2013.

Stephen H. DonCarlos has been reappointed by the Harris County Mayors and Councils Association as Port Commissioner. He was first appointed in 2013 by the association, which is an organization representing 26 cities in Harris County. DonCarlos chairs the Governance Committee and serves on the Community Relations Committee.

DonCarlos was elected as mayor of Baytown in May 2006 and served in that capacity for more than twelve years. He is an attorney with Reid, Strickland & Gillette, L.L.P.

Wendy Montoya Cloonan was also reappointed to the Port Commission by Harris County Commissioners Court in late January. She was originally appointed to the position in June of 2019, succeeding former Port Commissioner John D. Kennedy, who retired after serving on the commission since December 2012.

Cloonan most recently served as Director of Legal for the Houston Endowment. Before joining the Houston Endowment in 2015, she was an attorney with Andrews Kurth LLP and Vinson & Elkins LLP. On the Port Commission, Mrs. Cloonan serves on the Community Relations Committee, Compensation Committee and Procurement and Small Business Task Force.

Port Commissioners are responsible for providing guidance to the Port Houston executive team and enacting appropriate policies to ensure that the Port continues to lead as an economic engine for the region, state and nation. These policies can involve adopting plans, such as Port Houston’s new strategic plan adopted earlier this year. Other Commission responsibilities include approving the purchasing or disposing of real estate and other property, setting rates and adopting budgets.

Learn more about the Port Commission here: https://porthouston.com/leadership/the-port-commission/.

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Evia Island, a six-acre bird island located along the Houston Ship Channel and the mouth of East Bay, is an extremely important waterbird nesting site in Galveston Bay. With nearly 10,000 nests comprised of 10 bird species, it’s the breeding site with the most nesting pairs in the Galveston Bay system. These bird species include white pelicans, brown pelicans, great blue herons, egrets and roseate spoonbills among others.

Port Houston played a key role in creating this bird island during the last major Houston Ship Channel deepening project in 2005, where the channel was deepened to 45 ft. and 530 ft. wide through Galveston Bay. The island was made from dredged material through a collaborative effort with the Beneficial Use Group led by Port Houston and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, and also included Houston Audubon Society.

Helping create and improve environmental features along the Houston Ship Channel is a priority for the team at Port Houston. “Evia Island replaces habitat being lost on the coast. There are plans to create more of these bird islands, throughout Galveston Bay, as a result of the proposed the Houston Ship Channel Expansion – Project 11,” said Kyle Clark, manager of channel improvement at Port Houston. Project 11, currently in the planning phase, will widen the channel by 170 feet along its Galveston Bay reach, from 530 feet to 700 feet. It will also deepen upstream segments, make other safety and efficiency improvements, and craft several new environmental features.

Richard Gibbons, conservation director at the Houston Audubon Society said, “The use of dredge material to recover wetlands and colonial waterbird nesting habitat is an incredible achievement. Fortunately, we were successful in creating one of the most productive nesting islands on the Gulf Coast with Evia Island. The Houston Audubon Society is grateful for the opportunity to work with Port Houston in managing the many thousands of birds that depend on Evia for nesting and year-round roosting.”

The Audubon Society, through a contract with Port Houston, manages Evia Island for colonial waterbird nesting to maintain the island as a productive refuge. Some activities of their habitat oversight include vegetation management to attract specific species of birds and efforts to control fire ants on the island that may impact nests and young bird hatchlings.

For the past five years, Port Houston and the Houston Audubon Society have focused on developing enhanced monitoring techniques to accurately capture the number of nesting pairs utilizing Evia Island. The Audubon Society has incorporated the use of aerial drones and wildlife cameras in their monitoring efforts. The Port has been supporting the Audubon Society with its annual winter bird counts with volunteer staff and boating equipment through its vendors. The unique size and location of Evia Island allows the Audubon Society to test new technologies before use at some of the other extensive sites in Galveston Bay.

Learn more about the environmental benefits of Project 11 at www.expandthehoustonshipchannel.com/benefits/. 

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Container activity at Port Houston, the largest container port on the United States Gulf Coast, began slowing in late March as expected due to the coronavirus pandemic, but was still up for the first quarter of 2020..

Port Houston handled a total of 248,280 twenty-foot-equivalent units (TEUs) in March, a drop of 11 percent compared to March of 2019, when 280,721 TEUs were recorded.  However, for the full year, Port Houston handled 773,087 TEUs through March, compared to 694,167 TEUs for the same period last year. That marks an increase of 11 percent for the first quarter. 

The latest data from PIERS shows that while the U.S. container trade overall has contracted by more than 5 percent year-to-date, Port Houston has expanded by a similar amount. Nevertheless, in March Port Houston saw a total of seven blank sailings.

Port Houston’s Bayport and Barbours Cut container terminals are important to the local, state and national economies as well as the supply chain, Executive Director Roger Guenther noted. Cargo moving across our docks reaches some 100 million residents as well as exporters and manufacturers throughout America’s heartland.

“We must remain open for business to help international commerce continue during this difficult period,” Guenther said. “We also must support the economy with the necessary infrastructure to rebound when this global pandemic is brought under control.”

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