|
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 thant 200 million tons of cargo moved through the Port of Houston in 2006. A total of 7,550 vessel calls were recorded at the Port of Houston during the year 2006. 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: 03/31/08 
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
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. |
