The Gulf Coast of the United States comprises the coasts of American states that are on the Gulf of Mexico, which includes Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, and Florida and are known as the Gulf States.
The Gulf Coast is a major centre of economic activity. The Port of South Louisiana and the Port of Houston are two of the ten busiest ports in the world by cargo volume.
 
THE PORT OF HOUSTON
The Port of Houston is a 25-mile-long complex of diversified public and private facilities located just a few hours’ sailing time from the Gulf of Mexico. The port is ranked first in the United States in foreign waterborne tonnage (14 consecutive years); first in US imports (20 consecutive years); second in US export tonnage and second in the US in total tonnage (20 consecutive years).
The Port of Houston is made up of the Port of Houston Authority and the 150-plus private industrial companies along the Houston Ship Channel. All together, the port authority and its neighbours along the ship channel are a large and vibrant component of the regional economy.
More than 220mt (million tonnes) of cargo moved through the Port of Houston in 2009. More than 7,700 vessel calls were recorded at the Port of Houston in that year.The Houston Pilots navigate each vessel through the Houston Ship Channel.
The Port of Houston has an impressive listing of firsts, from unloading the world’s first container ship to becoming the country’s first port to receive ISO 14001 compliance.
 
The Houston Ship Channel
The Houston Ship Channel has been a catalyst for growth in Harris County since the first journey of a steamship up Buffalo Bayou in 1837. The ship channel plays a critical role in today’s community as well. It generates jobs and opportunities that allow businesses to flourish. A 2007 study by Martin Associates says ship channel-related businesses contribute to more than 785,000 jobs throughout Texas while generating nearly $118 billion of statewide economic impact. Additionally, more than $3.7 billion in state and local tax revenues are generated by business activities related to the port. It is projected that the Port of Houston will continue to be an important factor as north-south trade expands.
 
Galveston Bay
Galveston Bay is an irregularly shaped, shallow body of water, approximately 30 miles long (48km) in a general north–northeast and south–southwest direction, about 17 miles (21 km) in width at its widest part and generally about 7 to 9 feet (2.1 to 2.7m) deep.
Midway the length of the bay, it is nearly separated into two parts by Red Fish Bar, a chain of shoals. The part of the bay northward of Red Fish Bar is generally designated as ‘Upper Bay’ and the part southward as ‘Lower Bay’. The northeastern end of the Upper Bay is called Trinity Bay. Ship channels to Houston, Galveston,Texas City and Port Bolivar extend from Bolivar Roads in the southern part of Galveston Bay.
From the Gulf of Mexico, deep-draught vessels enter Galveston Bay between Bolivar Peninsula to the northeast and Galveston Island to the south. This entrance is called Galveston Harbor and extends from deep water in the Gulf of Mexico through the pass formed by the jetties extending from Galveston Island and Bolivar Peninsula to Bolivar Roads, the deep-water area between Bolivar Roads, the deep-water area between Bolivar Point and Pelican Island Fort Point.
 
Intracoastal Waterway
The Apalachee Bay, Florida, to Brownsville,Texas, section of the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway extends through the lower part of Galveston Bay. This route follows a dredged channel inshore along Bolivar Peninsula, through Bolivar Roads and joins Galveston Channel at its east end. From the west end of Galveston Channel, the route passes through the lower part of Galveston Bay and continues through West Bay.
An alternate route of the Intracoastal Waterway crosses the Houston Ship and Texas City channels and passes through the northern end of Pelican Island.


Port of South Louisiana: America’s largest tonnage port district,
The Port of South Louisiana extends across a 54-mile span of the Mississippi River between New Orleans and Baton Rouge. Within its district, there are seven grain elevators, more than 40 liquid and dry bulk terminals, multiple midstreaming operations, and the Globalplex Intermodal Terminal, the port’s public facility. In 2009, the facilities in the port’s jurisdiction handled over 226 million short tonnes of cargo, of which 95% were liquid and dry bulk commodities, making the Port of South Louisiana the largest tonnage port in the Western Hemisphere and eleventh largest in the world.
As America’s largest tonnage port district, the Port of South Louisiana is the premier sea gateway for US export and import traffic.
The installations of the Port of South Louisiana are primarily private enterprises, such as ADM, Cargill, Mosaic, Dupont,Valero, Shell, etc. However, the port also serves as landlord to five facilities that are leased to companies through 30-year lease purchase agreements.
 
PORT FACILITIES,TRAFFIC AND THROUGHPUT
Governed by a board of seven Commissioners, the Port of South Louisiana, which stretches 54 miles along the Mississippi River, is the largest tonnage port district in the western hemisphere. The facilities within St. Charles, St. John the Baptist, and St. James parishes (counties) handled over 246mt (million short tonnes) of cargo in 2010, brought to its terminals via vessels and barges. Over 4,000 oceangoing vessels and 55,000 barges call at the
Port of South Louisiana each year, making it the top ranked in the country for export tonnage and total tonnage.
With exports of over 48mt of cargo in 2010 — more than any other port in North America — the Port of South Louisiana cargo throughput accounts for 15% and 57% of total US and Louisiana exports, respectively.
The Port of South Louisiana has five first-rate port-owned facilities, ranging from grain elevators to general cargo facilities. It serves as landlord of these, which are leased to operating companies such as Occidental Chemical and Archer Daniels Midland. The exception is the Globalplex Intermodal Terminal, purchased by the Port in 1992 that is being redeveloped into a world-class complex to accommodate a variety of dry bulk and breakbulk cargo.
The port’s goals are:
  • to serve the maritime transportation needs of its resident industry;
  • to assist resident industry in the development of maritime and/or industrial facilities;
  • to encourage foreign and domestic investment within the River Parishes Region and Louisiana; and
  • to attract foreign and domestic cargo to the Globalplex Intermodal Terminal.
The River Region truly offers an intermodal transportation network of waterways, roadways, rail, and air, an advantage resident companies enjoy.The region sits at the intersection of the Mississippi River and the Gulf of Mexico, which allows speedy and expeditious distribution of products throughout the Americas and to the world.
 
GLOBALPLEX INTERMODAL TERMINAL
As its name suggest, this is a world-class intermodal terminal. It offers storage and warehousing, space for light manufacturing and a very active Foreign Trade Zone.
Based in the heart of the Port of South Louisiana’s jurisdiction on a 335-acre (135-hectare) site, the Globalplex Intermodal Terminal is a public terminal — owned by the Port of South Louisiana and operated by Associated Terminals and Kinder-Morgan — for both vessels and barges. It provides handling and storage for bulk, breakbulk, and containerized cargoes. Globalplex is an excellent location for manufacturing, distribution, and logistics companies.
Formerly a sugar refining complex and an integral part of the economic and social history of the region, the Globalplex Intermodal Terminal is a one-of-a-kind public facility on the lower Mississippi River. Its redevelopment is guided by a master plan that focuses on the dynamic needs of today’s shippers and manufacturers. Flexibility, efficiency, and connectivity are the hallmarks of the redesign and new construction.
Globalplex Bulk Terminal
Globalplex Intermodal Terminal’s deep-draught bulk terminal is dedicated to handling materials including, but not limited to, cement, mineral ores, and woodchips. This terminal, operated by Kinder-Morgan, is equipped with a Carlsen screw-type unloader for special handling of cement. The cement facility, which includes dome storage, is one of the largest in the United States. Cargo is quickly moved to and from landside storage via an extensive covered conveyor system.
 
TRANSPORTATION
Water
Within the 108 miles (174 kilometres) of deepwater frontage on both banks of the Mississippi River are more than 50 piers and docks. Vessels draughting 45 feet (14 metres) call at the port district throughout the year. Rarely is river commerce halted because of river depth or weather conditions.
The Port of South Louisiana transfers cargo to and from vessels and barges arriving in the lower Mississippi River. The inland barge system, comprised of 19,262 miles (30,992 kilometers) of waterway, moves more than 233mt of cargo upriver to major US markets in the Midwest and Northeast.
 
Highways
Three major interstate highways connect the Port of South Louisiana to major US markets. Interstate 10 extends across the nation from the Atlantic to the Pacific. Interstate 55 reaches points as far north as Chicago, Detroit, and St. Paul. Interstate 59, which originates near the port’s northern boundary, allows direct entry to cities in the eastern United States. Just within 600 miles are 20 metropolitan area markets in the southeast US accessible via these interstates.
Throughout the port’s jurisdiction, an excellent state highway system feeds traffic to these major interstate arteries. Shipments can flow easily, without congestion, into the mainstream of the interstate highway system.
 
Rail
The Port of South Louisiana is served by three trunk line railroads, two on the east bank of the Mississippi River and one on the west bank. The Union Pacific railroad on the west bank provides service to western US markets, whereas the Canadian National and Kansas City Southern railroads, both on the east bank, serve the mid-continental United States, Canada, and Mexico.
 
 
Port of Corpus Christi looks to the future
Strategically located on the western Gulf of Mexico, the Port Corpus Christi is the sixth largest port in the United States in total tonnage. With a straight, 45ft deep channel, the port provides quick access to the Gulf, the United States inland waterway system and the world beyond. The port delivers outstanding access to overland transportation with on-site and direct connections to three Class I railroads and uncongested interstate and state highways. The port is protected by a state- of-the-art security department and an award-winning environmental management system. With outstanding management and operations staff, Port Corpus Christi lives up to its motto of ‘More Than You Can Sea’.
The Port of Corpus Christi boasts:
  • 45ft channel depth;
  • more than 125 acres of open storage and fabrication sites;
  • heavy lift capabilities;
  • shipside rail and truck access;
  • excellent highway access;
  • flexible and productive labour force; and
  • more than 295,500ft2 of covered dockside storage
 
PORT MISSION
It is the mission of the Port of Corpus Christi to serve as a regional economic development catalyst while protecting and enhancing its existing industrial base and simultaneously working to diversify its international maritime cargo business. In pursuit of this mission, the port is guided by the following basic principles:
  • the port shall conduct its affairs in a positive, open, and co-operative manner;
  • the port shall operate in a fiscally responsible manner;
  • the port shall be a positive and proactive force in the protection of the region’s marine and water related resources; and
  • the port shall be committed to serving its customers — present and future.
Among recent developments at the Port of Corpus Christi is its decision to enter into a memorandum of understanding with China’s Port Tianjin. This memorandum of understanding (MOU) aims to generate new business through both ports.
 
RECENT NEWS
Bridge opening: new link for commercial traffic
On 17 October last year, a ribbon cutting ceremony was held for the opening of a direct connector bridge linking Interstate 37 to the Joe Fulton International Trade Corridor. The Texas Department of Transportation constructed the 4,415ft-long bridge as part of a $32 million project to improve mobility and safety. The bridge is projected to carry approximately 500 large trucks per day to Port Corpus Christi between southbound Interstate 37 and the Joe Fulton International Trade Corridor.
Texas Department of Transportation Corpus Christi district engineer John A. Casey said the new bridge is a strategic advantage for the Port of Corpus Christi. “Today a new doorway to international trade opportunities is opened signalling that the Coastal Bend is open for business,” Casey said. Port Commission Chairman Mike Carrell, Commissioner Richard Borchard, and Commissioner Mike Scott, as well as other local dignitaries including State Senator Juan ‘Chuy’ Hinojosa, State Representative Connie Scott, Nueces County Judge S. Loyd Neal, Nueces County Commissioner Joe Gonzalez, Nueces County Commissioner Oscar Ortiz, Corpus Christi City Council Member Chris Adler, and Corpus Christi City Council Member Nelda Martinez all took part in the ceremonial ribbon- cutting ceremony.
 
MOU with China’s Tianjin Port
In October last year, the Port of Corpus Christi and the Tianjin Port (Group) Co., Ltd signed the MOU which is aimed at generating new business by promoting the all water route between Asia and the Port of Corpus Christi Authority, and by promoting the all water route between North America including Gulf of Mexico and the Tianjin Port (Group) Co., Ltd. “Our port is honoured of signing this agreement today. The enhancement of the port’s relationship with the Tianjin Port Group plays a very important role in linking our port with ports in Asia as we continue to develop strategic business partnerships with countries in the Eastern Hemisphere,” said John LaRue, executive director of Port Corpus Christi.
As part of the agreement both ports will co-operate with each other in achieving a generation of new improved business by increasing the level of services available. These opportunities will support the levels of opportunities for economic growth for each of the region’s the ports are located.
Tianjin Port is the largest artificial port in China. It is located at the estuary of Haihe River and the cross point of Beijing-Tianjin city band and Bohai Rim economic circle. It is the sea gateway of Beijing and Tianjin, the important international trade port in northern China and the link to connect Northeast Asia and Central and West Asia. Tianjin Port covers water and land area nearly 310km2, in which land area is 107km2. At present, the main navigation channel is 35km long with a water depth of 19.5m. This allows for 250,000dwt ships to enter and leave at all times, and 300,000dwt vessels to transit at hight tide. In total, there are 151 berths at the port, including 96 berths for over 10,000 tonnes. Total quay length is 32,000m.
 
Panama Canal and Port Corpus Christi sign agreement
The Panama Canal Authority joined the Port in Corpus Christi on 14 September last year at the Congressman Solomon P. Ortiz International Center to celebrate the Port’s 85th anniversary and sign a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to work with one other to promote trade opportunities.
With cotton as its first cargo, 85 years ago Port Corpus Christi opened its doors to the world of commerce.
“We are proud of Port Corpus Christi’s dedication to economic development throughout South Texas over the last 85 years. It is important that we remain committed to establishing partnerships with ports in the United States as we move forward with the expansion of the Panama Canal. Our agreement will strengthen this commitment and promote trade along the Gulf Coast of the US,” said ACP Administrator/CEO Alberto Alema´n Zubieta.
The port plans to diversify its cargo base, develop important infrastructure projects, such as the dredging of the extension of the La Quinta Channel and the expansion of the port’s rail capabilities, which will enable the port to better serve its customers. These projects, as well as several others, continue to attract new industry to the port, helping to create new jobs for the region and to open new shipping trade routes opportunities through the Gulf of Mexico . By taking advantage of the opportunities the Panama Canal, Port Corpus Christi will become South Texas’s strategic shipping link to the world through the Gulf of Mexico.
“We are honoured to have the Panama Canal Authority part of the celebration of our 85th anniversary. It gives us the opportunity to celebrate our friendship as we work together for the future,” said Mike Carrell, Port Corpus Christi Commission Chairman, adding, “the enhancement of the port’s relationship with the Panama Canal Authority plays a very important role in linking our Port with ports in Asia as we continue to develop strategic business partnerships with countries in the Eastern Hemisphere.”
 
Future projects
Future private investment projects are expected to impact the growth of the Port of Corpus Christi in the near future, namely the construction of a steel pipe mill by Tianjin Pipe Corporation, the expansion of the port’s bulk terminal to support long-term leases with Ambre and Millennium for the handling of their coal exports operations to Asia, South America and Europe, the extension of the La Quinta Channel and the construction of the La Quinta Trade Gateway Multipurpose Facility.