Happy Thursday!
We went to the Greater Houston Port Bureau’s (GHPB) Commerce
Club Luncheon at the Houston Marriot South at Hobby Airport today.
The speaker was Charlie Jenkins,
the New CEO of Port Houston. Mr. Jenkins was named the new Chief Executive
Officer in September 2024. He has had a
long career with Port Houston. Mr.
Jenkins referred to Port Houston as “Uniquely Houston!” It is an engine of economic prosperity which
creates jobs, brings together communities, and brings economic gains to the
region, state and country! In light of this,
he decided to give us a history lesson on the lucrative port.
Mr. Jenkins spoke about the long
history and a kind of motto for the port, “When there is a will, there is a way!”
This seemed to be the truth about Port
Houston and its history. In 1853, Project
1 the Houston Ship Channel (HSC) was set in motion and channel was cleared. By the 1870s, the HSC was four feet deep and
70 feet wide. In 1898, HSC handled
389,000 tons of cargo a year and approximately 3,035 vessel calls. In 1909, Houston Pier which it was called
became the Harris County Houston Ship Channel Navigation District and it was
created by vote. Bonds were sold, so
they were able to raise half of the money needed to officially do the improvements
needed to become Port of Houston. After
lobbying in Congress for the area in 1912, the HSC received the funding and
laws needed to make Port of Houston a reality and its respective Board. In 1914, Houston Ship Channel was officially
opened as a deep-water port, and HSC was 25 feet deep and 150 feet wide. In 1924, the Port Terminal Railroad Association
formed which provided access and reasonable cost for all trains entering
Houston and 154 miles of rail for patrons to use to access Port of Houston. In 1929, the Greater Houston Port Bureau
was established to further the development of Port of Houston. After some torrential weather which included severe
flooding and incapacitated the area twice, it was decided in 1935 the Houston
area needed the Harris County Flood District. The community approached the Texas Legislature
and in 1937 this important agency became a reality. Then it was decided in 1968, if the area
wanted Port of Houston to flourish Project 10 needed to become reality and the
community made it happen. Project 10 was
an expansion project to deepen and widen the HSC, and in 2005 the project
completed. The HSC’s new depth was 45
feet, and it was widened to 530 feet.
Then on September 11, 2001, the United States changed forever! Previously the ports of the country did barbed
wire to prevent theft, but in 2009 the Houston Ship Channel Security District
was established to prevent terrorists from harming the ports and all those who
visit or work there. Finally in 2020 Port
Houston received authorization for its Project 11
which is the current expansion and improvements for the HSC and Port Houston. Project 11 with the help of its
partners including the GHPB, were able to make this project come to life!
Project 11 is proceeding on
schedule, and it is one of the fastest projects to near completion. Remember completion for Project 10 was 38
years for its enhancements and improvements!
He did hint; maybe in a decade or so a Terminal 3 could happen, when it’s
the right time in the right place, and for the right price! Port Houston
has a long history, and its narrative is how we have become the #1 waterborne tonnage
port in the US!
Mr. Jenkins spoke briefly on a
few other topics. He couldn’t stress the
importance of community involvement and how it helps Port Houston, and
it is the right way to make things happen!
In 2024, Port Houston engaged with over 80,000 community members
and is a member of 314 organizations. The
Port Commission Community Advisory Council meets quarterly. The port helps with community grants and establishing
green space around the port for the community to enjoy. Port Houston is a team player and cheerleader
for the community of Houston, Harris County, and the surrounding areas!
Thank you, Charlie Jenkins! You are an interesting and informative
speaker, and we are looking forward to seeing what Port Houston does
next!
As you see the speakers at the GHPB’s
Commerce Club Luncheons bring an informative talk to all that
attend. The next Commerce Club
Luncheon is March 27, 2025, at 11 a.m.
The guest speaker at the next luncheon is Jesse Thompson, Senior
Business Economist at the Houston Branch of the Federal Reserve Bank of
Dallas. He should give us a good talk on
issues affecting the Houston and Gulf Coast economy including the energy and
the maritime industry. Please check out the website, if you would
like to learn more. March 2025 Commerce Club Luncheon - Greater Houston Port Bureau.
If you would like help in
figuring out how to get your product moving with less of a carbon footprint,
contact us via the email on the Blog or give us a call: 281-901-5554. Check out our ESC website!
We hope you have a great and
productive rest your week!