Certifications & Awards

The Port of Houston Authority has been singled out on numerous occasions for a variety of awards and recognition for its business management and communications methods as well as its commitment to improving the environment.

• The 2001 American Association of Port Authorities’ Environmental Improvement Award for testing of alternative fuels in off-road fleet equipment.
• In 2002, became the first U.S. port authority with an Environmental Management System that meets ISO 14001 standards for environmental excellence.
• The 2002 American Association of Port Authorities’ environmental achievement honor, the Calvin Hurst Award, for the Port Authority’s innovative environmental management system.
• The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality’s 2003 Environmental Excellence Award for the Houston Ship Channel deepening and widening project as an initiative that provides positive impact on state’s air, water and land.
• In 2004, became the first U.S. port authority recertified to the new ISO 14001:2004 standard for its environmental management system.
• The Mayor’s Proud Partner Award in 2004 from Keep Houston Beautiful Award for the Mighty Tidy stormwater pollution prevention program.
• The Mayor’s Outstanding Proud Partner Award in 2005 from Keep Houston Beautiful for numerous environmental efforts to improve area waterways.
• President George Bush’s 2007 E Star Award for export service, in recognition of the Port of Houston Authority’s support of exports. The Port Authority also received this award in 1981 and it was presented by Vice President George H.W. Bush.
• In 2008, became the world's first port authority to receive ISO 28000:2007 certification for its security management system.
• The Houston-Galveston Area Council has recognized the Port Authority's efforts to improve air quality for four consectutive years: 2009 Clean Air Action Champion Award: 2010 Best All-Around Clean Air Leadership Award; 2011 re-recognized the Port Authority along with other companies which have substantially decreased emissions; and 2012 Clean Air Action Leadership Award as the Outstanding
  TERP (Texas Emissions Reduction Plan) Participant.
• Named "Port Authority of the Year" at the Containerisation International Awards 2011.
• The Gulf Guardian award four times from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA): in 2011 for an international demonstration of fuel-switching on ocean-going vessels in the Gulf of Mexico, in 2008 for the Clean and Green Program, in 2004 for its storm water pollution cleanup program, and in 2000 for the Houston Ship Channel demonstration marsh.
• Awarded a Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting for 38 consecutive years by the Government Finance Officers Association of the United States and Canada, through fiscal year 2011.
• Earned a Gold Leadership Circle Award for financial transparency in June 2012 under the Texas Comptroller Leadership Circle Program.
• The Government Treasurers' Organization of Texas awarded a certificate of distinction under its Investment Policy Certification Program in March 2013.