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The
Port of Houston
The Port of Houston is a 25-mile-long complex of diversified
public and private facilities located just a few hours'
sailing time from the Gulf of Mexico. The port is ranked
first in the United States in foreign waterborne tonnage
and second in the U.S. in total tonnage.
The Port of Houston is made up of
the Port of Houston Authority and the 150-plus private
industrial companies along the Houston Ship Channel.
All together, the port authority and its neighbors along
the ship channel are a large and vibrant component to
our regional economy.
More than 225 million tons of cargo
moved through the Port of Houston in 2007. A total of
8,053 vessel calls were recorded at the Port of Houston
during the year 2008. The Houston
Pilots navigate each vessel through the Houston
Ship Channel.
The Port of Houston has an impressive
listing of firsts, from unloading the world's first
container ship to becoming the country's first port
to receive ISO 14001 compliance. Read
the entire list of firsts.
The
Houston Ship Channel
 The
Houston Ship Channel has been a catalyst for growth
in Harris County since the first journey of a steamship
up Buffalo Bayou in 1837. The ship channel plays a critical
role in today's community as well. It generates jobs
and opportunities that allow businesses to flourish.
A 2007 study by Martin Associates
says ship channel-related businesses support more than
785,000 jobs throughout Texas while generating nearly
$118 billion of statewide economic impact. Additionally,
more than $3.7 billion in state and local tax revenues
are generated by business activities related to the
port. It is projected that the Port of Houston
will continue to be an important factor as north-south
trade expands.
Galveston
Bay
Galveston Bay is an irregularly shaped, shallow body
of water, approximately 30 miles long (26 n.m./48 km)
in a general north-northeast and south-southwest direction,
about 17 miles (14.8 n.m. or 21 km) in width at its
widest part and generally about 7 to 9 feet (2.1 to
2.7 m) deep.
 Midway
the length of the bay, it is nearly separated into two
parts by Red Fish Bar, a chain of shoals. The part of
the bay northward of Red Fish Bar is generally designated
as "Upper Bay" and the part southward as "Lower Bay."
The northeastern end of the Upper Bay is called Trinity
Bay. Ship channels to Houston, Galveston, Texas City
and Port Bolivar extend from Bolivar Roads in the southern
part of Galveston Bay.
From the Gulf of Mexico, deep-draft
vessels enter Galveston Bay between Bolivar Peninsula
to the northeast and Galveston Island to the south.
This entrance is called Galveston Harbor and extends
from deep water in the Gulf of Mexico through the pass
formed by the jetties extending from Galveston Island
and Bolivar Peninsula to Bolivar Roads, the deep-water
area between Bolivar Roads, the deep-water area between
Bolivar Point and Pelican Island Fort Point.
Intracoastal
Waterway
The Apalachee Bay, Florida, to Brownsville, Texas, section
of the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway extends through the
lower part of Galveston Bay. This route follows a dredged
channel inshore along Bolivar Peninsula, through Bolivar
Roads and joins Galveston Channel at its east end. From
the west end of Galveston Channel, the route passes
through the lower part of Galveston Bay and continues
through West Bay.
An alternate route of the Intracoastal
Waterway crosses the Houston Ship and Texas City channels
and passes through the northern end of Pelican Island.
A
Commitment to Security
The Port of Houston Authority is committed
to a safe and secure environment for all employees,
tenants, and stakeholders at its port facilities. To
read a copy of PHA's Security Management Policy, click
here.
Last updated: 03/10/09
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
For questions and comments, send an e-mail.
Please include company name and phone number, when appropriate,
so we may better respond to your inquiry.
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