Port of Houston Authority

Port Houston, officially known as the Port of Houston Authority, is an autonomous governmental subdivision of the State of Texas, established in 1911. Its core business involves owning, managing, and operating public terminals along the 52-mile Houston Ship Channel, serving as a vital hub for global maritime trade. Headquartered in Houston, Texas, its mission is "to move the world and drive regional prosperity."

The port operates eight public terminals, including the area's largest breakbulk facility and two of the most efficient container terminals, Barbours Cut and Bayport. These facilities handle a diverse range of cargo, including containers, breakbulk, steel, project cargo, heavy-lift cargo, bulk, and Ro/Ro. Beyond cargo handling, Port Houston provides essential services such as vessel scheduling, operational information, container tracking, and berth applications. It also maintains dedicated police, fire, emergency management, and security teams to ensure safety and security across the Houston Ship Channel.

Charlie Jenkins assumed the role of Chief Executive Officer in late August 2024, bringing over 30 years of experience to the position. Port Houston holds a significant market position as the nation's largest port for waterborne tonnage, ranking first in foreign waterborne tonnage and second in total foreign cargo value. It is also the largest container port in the Gulf of Mexico and the fifth largest in the U.S. by total TEUs. In May 2026, the port recorded its strongest monthly container volumes since July 2025, driven by robust energy exports. Ongoing strategic initiatives include the Houston Ship Channel Expansion (Project 11) and continuous infrastructure upgrades at its terminals to enhance capacity and efficiency.