- Commissioner Dean Corgey Honored as His Term Concludes.
- Roland Garcia was Sworn in as the New Port Commissioner.
- Houston Ship Channel Expansion Approved for Two-Way Traffic.
The Port Commission of the Port of Houston Authority met for their monthly meeting on Wednesday, February 19, during which the major updates, milestones, and recognitions were presented. Chairman Ric Campo welcomed the meeting by acknowledging Commissioner Dean Corgey, who is retiring after twelve years of service. He praised Corgey’s leadership and service to the maritime community, especially during the most pivotal moments in Port Houston’s history, reports Port Houston.
Commissioner Transition
“We thank Commissioner Corgey for his work and contributions during the past twelve years, bringing leadership and extensive experience in the maritime industry to bear during inflection points in Port Houston’s history,” said Chairman Campo. Following the meeting, newly appointed Commissioner Roland Garcia was sworn in, receiving a warm welcome as he took over Corgey’s role on behalf of the City of Houston.
Houston Ship Channel Expansion – Project 11 Updates
A major milestone was reported on the Houston Ship Channel Expansion, Project 11. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has authorised the expansion of the channel from Redfish to Bayport, enabling two-way traffic to take full advantage of the widened limits. The Houston Pilots have also extended the daylight sailing window for restricted vessels by another thirty minutes, bringing the total increase to about two hours since the project started.
Chairman Campo paused to celebrate the progress of this billion-dollar endeavour, pointing out that the construction has stayed on track and within budget. He noted the long-term returns of these enhancements as being greater operational efficiency, more jobs, and added economic value for the area.
Bayport Ship Channel Dredging Completion
Another milestone achievement marked during the meeting was the completion of the Bayport Ship Channel dredging project in 2024. This achievement enables vessels up to 17,000 TEUs to visit the Bayport Container Terminal, further enhancing the port’s capabilities. The Port Houston Channel Infrastructure team, along with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and other channel partners, was lauded for their work in making this expansion possible.
Operations Highlights – Record TEU Volumes
Port Houston experienced continued cargo growth. Total tonnage across all eight public institutions in January 2025 registered a 2% increase versus the same January period in 2024. Container volume set a record with 347,019 TEUs, marking its busiest January record to date. General cargo was up 47%, led by robust export tonnage at Jacintoport and Turning Basin terminals. Import steel also saw an 18% rise from last year, evidencing a strong beginning to 2025.
ESGR Awards – Celebrating Military Support
The meeting also offered the chance to acknowledge Port Houston’s dedication to assisting military service members. Employers Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR), an office of the Department of Defense responsible for promoting cooperation between civilian employers and Reserve Component Service members, recognized Port Houston for its commitment to doing so.
Technical Sergeant Ruben Garcia, a Construction Inspector at Port Houston, was honoured for his Texas Guard service from 2018 to 2024, where he served ten tours of duty. Major General Richard Noriega made the presentation on behalf of ESGR.
Above and Beyond Award
Port Houston received the Above and Beyond Award, a national award honouring employers who exceed expectations in their support of Guard and Reserve employees. Inspection and Survey Manager Gene Norman and Chief Surveyor Louis Bergman also each received the ESGR Patriot Award for their direct assistance to Garcia during his time in the military.
Environmental and Community Initiatives
The session also underscored Port Houston’s continued dedication to environmental stewardship. The port was recertified to ISO 14001, the International Standard for Port Environmental Management Systems, which assists in systematically assessing environmental risks and opportunities and establishing sustainability goals.
Also receiving recognition was the Port Houston Fire Department, which had a recent badge pinning and promotion ceremony. The ceremony recognized firefighters who had been promoted or were sworn into the department, celebrating nine promotions, ten badge pinnings, and ten service anniversaries.
Community grants program
Also, the meeting featured an announcement regarding the 2025 community grants program. Port Houston has this year boosted its funding to $500,000, the highest annual appropriation since the program began in 2020. The program has, since its inception, added up to $1.65 million in community grants. The Friday, February 28, deadline for letters of interest for this year’s program applies.
Next Port Commission Meeting
The following Port Commission meeting will be held on Tuesday, March 25, 2025.
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Source: Port Houston
