U.S. Rep. Lizzie Fletcher, who presides over Texas’ 7th Congressional District, toured Port Houston April 23 with her staff, where they received a briefing on the Houston Ship Channel and the national economic importance of making waterway improvements.

The tour was especially timely for Fletcher, since she currently serves as a member of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee and co-chairs a task force on trade.

As part of Fletcher’s visit, Port Chairman Ric Campo and Port Infrastructure Officer Rich Byrnes took her aboard a fireboat where she received a firsthand view of the busy Bayport Container Terminal. She was also able to see the activity along the channel involving the numerous petrochemical companies that operate along the waterway.

The backdrop of the tour highlighted the Port Authority’s impact on innovation, economic value and job creation. Additionally, she was able to gain insight about the waterway’s challenges and potential opportunities.

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U.S. Rep. Brian Babin and his staff took a waterside tour of the Port of Houston May 31, with Port Houston staffers providing a briefing for the Congressman along the way.

During the briefing, Port Houston staff highlighted the importance of the Houston Ship Channel. They focused on the need for improvements to accommodate two-way traffic and the larger vessels calling the port.

The ship channel is the busiest waterway in the nation in regard to vessel and barge transits.

Port Commissioner John D. Kennedy joined Babin and his staff on a port fireboat as they visited the Barbours Cut Container Terminal, noting that staff provided information on Port Houston and federal policy priorities.

Port Houston Director of Channel Development Mark Vincent provided an overview to the group on the channel and port’s latest infrastructure developments. 

A national asset, the greater Port of Houston generates $618 billion in U.S. economic activity annually.

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Port Houston welcomed the House Select Committee on Texas Ports, Innovation and Infrastructure at the Bayport Container Terminal Nov. 1.

Created earlier this year by Texas House Speaker Joe Straus, the committee is responsible for reviewing state policies and discussing long-term challenges facing Texas ports and infrastructure and to propose solutions to address those needs and keep ports competitive.

Port Houston leadership and staff discussed the port's role and operations and provided an overview of the greater Port of Houston, highlighting its economic impact to the state.

Chairman Janiece Longoria noted that the port’s container traffic is growing every year. A total of 63 percent of Port Houston's cargo is containerized, with East Asia cargo making up 37 percent of the port’s containerized imports.

Executive Director Roger Guenther noted that technologies are all about creating a more efficient port for the users.

Port Houston Channel Development Director Mark Vincent gave a presentation about Houston Ship Channel development activities, while Chief Port Infrastructure Officer Rich Byrnes discussed transportation, logistics and freight mobility. 

The visit concluded with a container yard tour of both Bayport and Barbours Cut terminals.

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