The Turning Basin Terminal is a multipurpose complex located eight miles from downtown Houston and serves as the navigational head of the Houston Ship Channel, just 50 miles from the Gulf of Mexico. The banks along this section of the channel are lined for 2.5 miles downstream with an alternating arrangement of open wharves and docks backed by transit sheds and warehouses. This makes the Turning Basin ideal for direct discharge and direct loading operations. Each year, some 2,800 ship and barge calls are recorded at the Turning Basin Terminal's 37 docks. These docks are equipped to handle just about any type of breakbulk, containerized, project or heavy-lift cargoes. This terminal also is equipped for handling large, odd-shaped cargoes, long-term project cargo and vehicles.

Every wharf at the Turning Basin, except Wharves 1 through 4, is served by rail. Two railroads serve Houston and provide service to all points in the United States. The railroads - Burlington Northern-Santa Fe and Union Pacific - are members of the Port Terminal Railroad Association, which provides switching service to all Turning Basin docks.

More than 100 truck lines serve the Turning Basin, which is located just five miles from two major interstate highways that run north-south and east-west.

Direct discharge and loading are possible at this terminal, using either rail cars or trucks. Berths are assigned on a first-come, first-served basis, rather than preferential berthing, and the average turnaround time for a ship at the terminal is two to three days.

Nearby, the 200-acre Industrial Park West provides facilities for container marshaling, consolidation and storage of steel and servicing and distribution of automobiles. The 115-acre Industrial Park East is also close by and provides paved and unpaved storage area, as well as storage shed space.

Location: Near Loop 610 Bridge at the navigational head of the Houston Ship Channel.

Bridge Clearance: 135 feet above mean high tide.

Maximum Vessel Length: 750 feet (228 meters).

Wharf Load Capacities: From 400 to 1,000 pounds per square foot (2 to 4.9 metric tons per square meter).

Shedded Wharf Apron Widths: From 52 to 60 feet (15.9 to 18.3 meters) (No. 18 through No. 31).

Height of Docks: 12 to 16.5 feet (3.7 to 5 meters) above mean low tide.

Hours of Operation: Normal hours: 8 am to 5 pm Some entrances open 24 hours a day.

Freight Handling: Accomplished by private companies. List available on request.

Covered Storage: 1.9 million square foot (176,510 square meters).

Open Storage: 3.3 million square foot (306,570 square meters).

Cranes: Two 40-ton (40.6 metric ton) container cranes; mobile truck cranes up to 300 tons available for rent from private companies; lifting capacity in excess of 500 short tons can be obtained by special arrangement.

Tariff: Port of Houston Authority Tariff No. 8

For Information Contact:
Turning Basin Manager
Telephone: 713-670-2435
Fax: 713-670-2697

Port of Houston Authority
111 East Loop North • Houston, Texas 77029
P.O. Box 2562 • Houston, Texas 77252-2562
Phone: 713-670-2400

Copyright 2006 Port of Houston Authority • All Rights Reserved
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