MAY 2026 GULF COAST PORTS GULF COAST PORTS 9 Roll-on/roll-off, project and military cargo activities are propelling sustained growth at the Port of Beaumont on Southeast Texas’ Sabine-Neches Waterway. Port Houston’s Bayport Container Terminal bustles with activity, combining with Barbours Cut to handle three-fourths of U.S. Gulf box traffic. Ranking No. 5 among U.S. ports in annual tonnage handled, the Port of Beaumont is enjoying sustained growth across such key sectors as breakbulk, bulk, energy and roll-on/roll-off cargos. The Southeast Texas port’s pri- mary commodities include military equipment, project cargo, cement, aggregate, petroleum products and Bra- zilian eucalyptus pulp, with recent diversification into cleaner energy options further broadening market scope. Port Houston Building upon its long- time No. 1 rank among U.S. ports in total waterborne ton- nage, Port Houston has 45 projects, totaling $365 million in value, in its 2026 infrastruc- ture plan. Initiatives include construction of a new Bayport Container Terminal wharf, rehabilitation of two wharves at Barbours Cut Container Terminal, additional mainte- nance facilities and the first phase of a new Bayport access tion added another 1,000 feet of berth space. In partnership with the U.S. Army Corps of Engi- neers, Port Houston last fall completed its portion of the Houston Ship Channel Expansion, bringing depths of as many as 46.5 feet plus significant widening to accommodate safe two-way vessel movement. Port of Galveston At the entrance to Gal- veston Bay and the Houston Ship Channel, 45 minutes from open seas, the Port of Galveston plans summer celebration of completion of its $106 million cargo infra- structure initiative, funded with port revenues – much generated by dynamic cruise business – and a $36 million state grant. Work to facilitate 30 acres of additional cargo-handling space at the West Port Cargo Complex was completed in April, with some 400,000 cubic yards of soil filling in the slip at Pier 38-39 after retaining wall construction. The enhanced infrastructure features a 1,434-foot-long berth. Paving of the filled area is to begin in less than two years, (DEEPER – continued on page 10) (DEEPER – continued from page 6) road. The two box terminals combine to handle nearly three-quarters of all contain- erized cargo moving through the U.S. Gulf. In March, Port Houston completed delivery of 16 new rubber-tired gantries, bring- ing to 163 units the total RTG fleet at its container terminals. And, in late April, the port was awarded a $48 million federal grant, to be augmented by $56 million in matching funds, to build a new container yard and exit gate at Bayport, where last year’s Wharf 7 comple- BEST IN BREAKBULK Heavy lift docks. Laydown storage. Oversized offloading. With connections throughout North America, the Port does it all to efficiently move breakbulk cargo. See all our capabilities at portofcc.com • Cargo docks with direct to rail discharge • BNSF, CPKC and UP service • Open and covered storage • Ro/Ro Ramp
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