MAY 2026 
GULF COAST PORTS
GULF COAST PORTS 
11
bridge over its Inner Harbor 
entrance.
The Corpus Christi Ship 
Channel Improvement Proj-
ect, completed in June 2025, 
has deepened the waterway 
to 54 feet, widened it to 530 
feet and added barge shelves. 
Also supporting safer and 
more efficient vessel tran-
sits – including for very large 
crude carriers, or VLCCs – is 
the recently completed $1.2 
billion new Harbor Bridge, 
with its 205-foot clearance 
alleviating air draft restric-
tions that had been posed 
A tanker approaches the new high-span Harbor Bridge as it enters the Port of Corpus Christi to load crude oil.
by the original 1950s-era, 
138-foot-clearance span it 
has replaced.
Over the past decade, 
the Port of Corpus Christi 
has made investments total-
ing more than $1 billion in 
on-port infrastructure, includ-
ing significant improvements 
to docks handling oil and 
wind energy components, as 
well as various other bulk 
and breakbulk cargos. Ongo-
ing port marketing efforts are 
aiming to attract a broader 
range of industries.
Port of Brownsville
Energy development remains 
a cornerstone at the Port of 
Brownsville, just north of the 
U.S.-Mexico border. Next-
Decade Corp.’s $36 billion 
Rio Grande LNG export 
terminal has gained federal 
approval 
for 
constructing 
production capacity to reach 
30 million tons a year of 
liquefied natural gas. Also, 
Texas LNG LLC is advanc-
ing a $6 billion investment. 
Most recently, America First 
Refining announced inten-
tion to break ground on 240 
acres at the Port of Browns-
ville for the first major new 
U.S. refinery in half a cen-
tury, with plans to produce 
as many as 60 million barrels 
a year of ultra-low-carbon 
Just north of the U.S.-Mexico border, the Port of Brownsville handles a diversified cargo mix. (Photo: Port of Brownsville)
fuels entirely from American 
light shale oil.
Beyond energy exports, 
the Port of Brownsville’s 
diversified activity includes 
redevelopment of shipyard 
facilities, a $20 million flour 
mill and sunflower seed pro-
cessing plant being built 
by Westa Inc. and the $200 
million undertaking of steel-
maker Ternium to expand its 
operations to include a 180-
acre terminal.
The port is in the midst 
of a $226.9 million capi-
tal improvements program, 
highlighted by the project 
nearing completion to deepen 
the main channel to 52 feet 
from 42 feet.
(DEEPER – continued from 
page 10)
Delivering 
what your 
customers
need.
Whether it’s steel coil, project cargo, grain, 
or lumber, you can count on Port Houston 
to deliver what you need at our multi-purpose 
facilities. Flexibility and connectivity set us 
apart, and a skilled and dedicated labor force 
give you reliability. Get your cargo to your 
customers faster by choosing Port Houston.
www.porthouston.com
Port Houston City Docks

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