On Tuesday, August 25, the Port Commission of the Port of Houston Authority met for its regular monthly meeting, highlighting expanded international connectivity and continued progress on initiatives supporting the Houston Ship Channel region.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260826546662/en/

At its August meeting, the Port Commission reviewed the Ship Channel's nearly $1 trillion economic impact and advanced investments supporting continued growth.

At its August meeting, the Port Commission reviewed the Ship Channel’s nearly $1 trillion economic impact and advanced investments supporting continued growth.

During opening remarks, Chairman Ric Campo recognized Port Houston employees for donating essential supplies to families affected by the recent earthquake in Venezuela. Working with industry partners, the donations are being shipped directly to those in need.

Chairman Campo also highlighted community initiatives supporting local students and neighborhoods, including an outdoor classroom and garden improvements at Whittier Elementary that will benefit 320 students.

The Commission received an update on the findings of a new economic impact study conducted by Martin Associates, which found that activity at the public and private facilities along the Houston Ship Channel supports nearly $1 trillion in economic value across the U.S. while driving jobs and business activity throughout the region, Texas and the nation. Additional information can be found in the press release.

Port Houston CEO Charlie Jenkins emphasized the need for state investment in port-adjacent roadways ahead of the 2027 budget process, following his recent testimony before the Texas House Transportation Committee alongside industry stakeholders.

“Investment and growth of the adjacent roadways haven’t kept pace with the cargo growth and has become a critical choke point,” said Jenkins. “We are going to continue to speak about this on behalf of our entire port region.”

Port Houston also recently announced that Crowley’s new weekly Gulf-Central America Express Service will connect Houston directly with major trade gateways in Central America beginning September 10. To support the service, Commissioners approved the purchase of two Hyster reach stackers to safely and efficiently handle its 53-foot containers.

The Commission received an update on cargo activity through July. Additional information can be found in the Houston Ship Channel Region Monthly Trade & Market Report released on August 20.

Additional Meeting Updates:

  • Port Houston held an August 4 joint agency kickoff meeting for the Barbours Cut North Terminal Expansion following its acceptance into the FAST-41 program, which supports more transparent, predictable and timely federal environmental reviews and authorizations.

  • The Commission approved a marine construction permit allowing Houston Jacintoport, LLC to convert an existing barge dock into a ship dock and increase the volume of cement moving through its terminal.

  • The Commission authorized a marine construction permit allowing the Texas Historical Commission to close and reclaim the former Battleship Texas berth and establish a marsh wetland behind a new bulkhead.

  • Port Houston broke ground on a new Maintenance Building Annex at Bayport Container Terminal to expand maintenance capacity for ship-to-shore and rubber-tired gantry cranes and support terminal operations, with completion expected in the fourth quarter of 2027.

  • The Commission authorized the purchase of network infrastructure to provide reliable and resilient connectivity for the new Port Command Center and its critical Port Security and Emergency Operations functions.

The Port Commission will meet next on Tuesday, September 22, 2026.

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 Houston Ship Channel region known as the Port of Houston, which includes more than 200 private and eight public facilities. The Port of Houston 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 approximately 1.89 million jobs in Texas and 3.53 million jobs nationwide and economic activity totaling $538 billion in Texas and $987 billion across the nation. For more information, visit PortHouston.com.

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