The Houston Ship Channel complex and more than 200 private facilities along the channel, collectively known as the Port of Houston, is now the number one port in the United States in terms of total waterborne tonnage. It is also ranked first for foreign waterborne tonnage and number of vessel transits with nearly 285 million tons of cargo moved through the port overall in 2019.

This waterway expansion is critical in helping widen and deepen the channel for safer and more efficient navigation of vessels calling Port Houston’s eight public terminals and the more than 200 private facilities operating along the channel. Specifically, the project will widen the channel by 170 feet along its Galveston Bay reach, from 530 feet to 700 feet. It will also deepen segments up to 46.5 feet, make other safety and efficiency improvements, and craft new environmental features.

The design aspect of the project, which is the eleventh major widening and deepening of the waterway in its history, already is virtually completed. Among the next steps will be to start construction in Galveston Bay this year.

“To go from Congressional authorization to securing a pathway for construction in less than a month is phenomenal news,” Port Houston Chairman Ric Campo said. “Project 11 will provide the greater Houston metropolitan area continued job growth and economic development opportunities, while improving air quality by reducing traffic congestion on the channel.”

The goal is for an initial 3% reduction of NOx from vessel emissions. A wider, deeper therefore safer channel has fewer transits, shorter wait times and decreased turnaround distance. During the next 11 years, it is anticipated air emissions will be reduced 7% annually.

Port Houston Executive Director Roger Guenther called the New Start designation a momentous occasion for the port.

“We’re grateful for our bipartisan Congressional delegation and the many channel stakeholders who aggressively advocated to get this project authorized and funded,” Guenther said. “Without their continued support, we wouldn’t be in this position today.”

The channel is one of the most vital waterways in the country, connecting the Gulf Coast to other ports around the globe. The waterway has more deep-draft ship visits than any other port in the country, and nearly 200,000 barge transits every year as well. As energy and manufacturing exports increase and vessel sizes grow, improving the channel continues to be nationally important.

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Texas ports play a crucial role in the state’s economy, creating nearly 1.4 million jobs and a total of over $68 billion in federal, state and local tax revenue in the U.S., and about $7 billion of state and local taxes are supported in the state of Texas.

Those impacts were highlighted at the Texas Ports Association “Navigating the Future” conference which was held in Austin Feb. 20.  Port Houston joined other port leaders, government officials and maritime industry professionals at the event.

Texas Comptroller Glenn Hegar, Brandon Creighton, Chairman of the Texas Senate Committee on Ports, Texas State Senator Larry Taylor and Congressman Michael Cloud were among the officials participating in the conference.  The conference panels highlighted how ports facilitate various aspects of the state and nation economy, such as agriculture, energy and manufacturing. One panel focused on port security as well as their importance to deploying U.S. armed forces.

“Texas ports are our gateway to trade and economic growth,” stated Chairman Brandon Creighton in his opening remarks.  “As larger vessels transit our waterways and call on our ports, Texas must be ready to accommodate them as well as allow for all users to compete and maintain our economic lead over the rest of the country.”

Roger Guenther, Port Houston’s Executive Director who is also the current President of the Texas Ports Association, served as the conference’s Master of Ceremonies.

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Port Houston welcomed Major General Scott Spellmon, deputy commanding general for civil and emergency operations with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, and his staff for a briefing and tour of the public and private terminals on the Houston Ship Channel.  

The Major General and Corps representatives met with Port Houston Executive Director Roger Guenther and Channel Development Director Mark Vincent, who discussed the Houston Ship Channel, project economics and Hurricane Harvey impacts.

Port Houston is partnering with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers on a mega-study evaluating the feasibility of modifying the Houston Ship Channel, including widening and deepening of the waterway and other improvements.

Houston’s energy, security and infrastructure makes the channel one-of-a-kind with more than 190 public and private facilities along it.

“Shoaling on the Houston Ship Channel impacts not only shipping, marine operations and navigation, but it also affects our stakeholders, American consumers and the economy,” said Vincent.

Port Houston works closely with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to facilitate commerce and maintain navigation of the channel. Sediment control is of significance for resiliency efforts in light of future storm and flood events.

“Ships are getting larger,” Vincent noted. “Planning for future improvements is key, and we want to make sure we have the adequate consideration for the mitigation of potential risks. We continue to work with the Corps to model the mega-study to meet the needs of the waterway.”

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The Gulf Coast Chapter of the Western Dredging Association (WEDA) conducted its annual meeting Nov. 16 at the Hotel Galvez in Galveston, marking the first time the event has been held outside of New Orleans. The chapter represents the Gulf States of Texas, Alabama, Florida (West Coast), Georgia (Western), Louisiana and Mississippi. Over 180 industry professionals attended, including Port Houston’s channel development department.

The meeting provided a forum for the exchange of information of interest to the dredging industry and its associates, partners and stakeholders. Representatives from all areas of the industry, including regulatory, resource agencies, contracting and manufacturing attended to discuss dredging economics, benefits, technologies and current issues.

“This conference brought the big picture of the entire Gulf region and gave our port an opportunity to work with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers on more placement options for non-federal dredged material,” said Mark Vincent, director of channel development for Port Houston. The information presented provided the audience a full scope of Corps’ federal responsibilities along the Gulf Coast and an overview of the agency’s dredging program, noted Vincent.

This year’s event was merged with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ Galveston District’s annual dredging meeting. The American Association of Port Authorities contributed updates on the Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) and legislative matters related to ports and harbors.

“We are thrilled to bring the annual WEDA meeting to Texas as there are numerous maintenance and new work dredging projects around the Houston-Galveston area. This was one of WEDA’s largest events with a diverse mix of international attendees,” said Maxie McGuire, 2016 President WEDA Gulf Coast Chapter.

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