The Port of Houston
The 52-mile Houston Ship Channel is one of the nation’s
busiest waterways, providing a link between the world
and Houston, the fourth-largest city in the U.S. The
most prominent fixtures along the channel are the world’s
second largest petrochemical complex and the diverse
public and private facilities that comprise the Port
of Houston.
As the world’s 10th-largest
seaport, Houston handles more foreign waterborne tonnage
than any other U.S. port. Each year, more than 7,000
vessels and 150,000 barges transport goods through the
Port of Houston. More than 100 steamship lines offer
service between Houston and over 1,000 ports
around the world.
The Port of Houston Authority (PHA)
is a public entity that handles general cargo that is
distributed to the more than 30 million people who live
within 500 miles of the port. The port authority handles
about 35 million tons of cargo per year.
The PHA is responsible for eight primary
terminals. The public facilities owned and operated
by the Port of Houston Authority handle virtually every
type of cargo including containers, general cargo, grain,
dry bulk materials and project and heavy-lift cargo.
A vast network of interstate highways
and rail connect Houston with inland markets, and each
of the Port of Houston’s various facilities is
in close proximity to major highway arteries. Nearly
1,200 nonlocal truck lines handle cargo in the Houston
metropolitan area, including specialty cargo carriers
(e.g., oilfield equipment haulers, tank-truck lines,
household goods) and common carriers operating daily
scheduled service between Houston and other major U.S.
cities. According to data analyzed by Martin Associates,
marine cargo activities at the public and private marine
terminals located along the Houston Ship Channel generate
significant economic impact throughout Houston and the
surrounding region. More than 785,000 jobs in Texas
are related to cargo movement and other activities at
the port.
A statewide total of $39.3 billion
of personal income and expenditures were generated in
Texas from direct, induced, indirect and related jobs
at the port. Business activities affected by the port
generated nearly $118 billion of statewide economic
benefit. These same activities resulted in generation
of $3.7 billion of state and local taxes in the state.
Two dozen Houston-based companies
rank among the 2006 Fortune 500, making Houston the
third largest concentration in the nation. More than
half of the 100 largest non-U.S. corporations and 20
foreign banks have operations in Houston. A consular
corps comprised of officials from 86 nations works diligently
to promote Houston’s role in global trade and
commerce.
The Port of Houston also contributes
to the high quality of life and low cost of living southeast
Texans enjoy. The short distance from the Port of Houston
to the marketplace keeps transportation costs down,
and those savings are passed on to consumers.
These economic savings are felt in
almost every part of life in this region. Lower costs
for building materials, appliances and furniture keep
new homes affordable for families. Savings on clothing,
office and school supplies, and food are also a part
of the lower cost of living. Local residents can take
advantage of these savings to pursue more of what life
has to offer.
Revised: 09/24/07
Port
of Houston Authority
111 East Loop North • Houston, Texas 77029
P.O. Box 2562 • Houston, Texas 77252-2562
Phone: 713-670-2400
Copyright 2009 Port of
Houston Authority • All Rights Reserved
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so we may better respond to your inquiry.
