On Wednesday, October 21, the Port Commission of the Port of Houston Authority met for its regular monthly meeting, highlighting the Port-led Project 11 completion, early planning for a potential Project 12 channel expansion, and progress on the proposed Barbours Cut North Expansion Project.
Chairman Ric Campo reflected on the recent celebration marking the completion of the Port-led segments of Project 11 and emphasized the need to continue investing in the Houston Ship Channel’s future.
“We have an extraordinary economic engine here in Houston, and we have a responsibility to help ensure it can continue supporting jobs and economic prosperity for generations to come,” said Campo.
Campo also highlighted the upcoming Houston International Maritime Conference taking place November 2–5, which will bring Panama Canal Administrator Ilya Espino de Marotta and other industry experts.
“Having the leader of one of the world’s most important waterways join us here in Houston is a tremendous opportunity to strengthen relationships and discuss the future of global maritime trade,” said Campo.
Also at the meeting, Port Houston CEO Charlie Jenkins announced Port Houston will move forward with its own study for portions of a potential Project 12, the next major improvement to deepen the Houston Ship Channel. It will do so under Section 203 of the Water Resources Development Act of 1986. This work will be in parallel with the Port’s partnership with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) on a traditional feasibility study for improvements to the broader Houston Ship Channel and Galveston Bay system. Earlier in the week Port Houston and the USACE held a Federal Interest Determination meeting, beginning a 45-day process that will result in a recommendation on the Project 12 scope of study.
Port Houston also continues to evaluate options to accommodate the additional container capacity the region is projected to need over the next decade. As part of this early-stage planning, the USACE held a public scoping meeting for a potential expansion north of Barbours Cut Terminal onto Spilman Island, and Port Houston hosted Permitting Council Executive Director Emily Domenech for a site tour to provide firsthand context. The potential expansion remains one of multiple options under consideration and would require a formal Final Investment Decision by the Port Commission before advancing.
The Commission also received an update on cargo activity through September. Additional information is available in the Houston Ship Channel Region Monthly Trade & Market Report released on October 21.
Additional Meeting Updates:
- Strong consumer demand during the peak shipping season helped drive a 5% year-to-date increase in Port Houston’s loaded imports, making Houston one of the nation’s top ports for import growth.
- The Houston Ship Channel region handled 22.3 million tons of foreign cargo in August, up 18% year over year, with exports increasing 24%.
- Transportation Security Administration headquarters selected Port Houston to host a Regional Intermodal Security Exercise through its Fiscal Year 2027 Intermodal Security Training and Exercise Program. The exercise will bring together law enforcement, the U.S. Coast Guard, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, and industry partners to strengthen coordination and preparedness for regional transportation threats and disruptions.
- The Port helped host the Texas Association of Foreign Trade Zones annual summit, bringing together state, regional and industry leaders to strengthen collaboration and share strategies for attracting investment, growing cargo and supporting job creation.
The Port Commission will meet next on Tuesday, November 10, 2026.
About Port Houston
For more than 100 years, Port Houston has owned and operated the public wharves and terminals along the Houston Ship Channel, including the area’s largest breakbulk facility and two of the most efficient container terminals in the country. Port Houston is the advocate and a strategic leader for the Channel. The Houston Ship Channel complex and its more than 200 private and eight public terminals is the nation’s largest port for waterborne tonnage and an essential economic engine for the Houston region, the state of Texas and the U.S. The Port of Houston supports the creation of nearly 1.5 million jobs in Texas and 3.37 million jobs nationwide, and economic activity totaling $439 billion in Texas and $906 billion in economic impact across the nation. For more information, visit the website at PortHouston.com.
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