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Port of Houston (USA) - Port of Houston Authority (ID: 6021)
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The Port of Houston The Houston Ship Channel Galveston Bay Intracoastal Waterway The Port's Past The Port's Present Piloting into the Next Century Tomorrow's Busiest Waterway A Channel of Emerging Opportunities The Houston Area A Strategic Location Foreign Representation Weather Conditions An Environmental Commitment An Emphasis on Ecology 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 commerce, second in total tonnage, and sixth in the world. The Port of Houston is made up of the port authority and the 150-plus private industrial companies along the ship channel. All together, the port authority and its neighbors along the Houston Ship Channel are a large and vibrant component to our regional economy. Approximately 175 million tons of cargo moved through the Port of Houston in 2002. A total of 6,414 vessel calls were recorded at the Port of Houston during the year 2002. 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. Read the entire list of firsts. 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. We generate jobs and opportunities that allow businesses to flourish. Economic studies reveal that ship channel-related businesses support more than 287,000 direct and indirect jobs throughout Texas while generating nearly $11 billion in economic impact. Additionally, more than $649 million 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 (26 n.m./48 km) in a general north-northeast and south-southwest direction, about 17 miles (14.8 n.m. or 21 km) in width at its widest part and generally about 7 to 9 feet (2.1 to 2.7 m) 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-draft 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. The Port's Past The Port of Houston Authority is an autonomous governmental entity authorized by a 1927 Act of the Texas Legislature. In 1909, the voters of Harris County approved the port as the Harris County Houston Ship Channel Navigation District. On Nov. 10, 2003, the Port of Houston celebrates its 89th birthday. Championed by Congressman Tom Ball, the Houston Ship Channel received federal funds and locally supported bond monies to dredge and deepen the waterway. Amid much pomp and circumstance, the ship channel officially opened Nov. 10, 1914. Thousands of people attended the ceremony, which was marked by a 21-gun salute. From his office in Washington, D.C., U.S. President Woodrow Wilson fired a cannon via remote control to officially mark the channel as open for operation. A band played the National Anthem from a barge in the center of the turning basin while Sue Campbell, daughter of Houston Mayor Ben Campbell, sprinkled white roses into the water from the top deck of the U.S. Revenue Cutter Windom. I christen thee Port of Houston; hither the boats of all nations may come and receive hearty welcome, she said. In 1971, the Texas Legislature changed the name to the Port of Houston Authority and gave it expanded powers for fire and safety protection along the 50-mile Houston Ship Channel. The Port's Present The Port of Houston has been instrumental in the city of Houston's development as a center of international trade. More than 100 steamship lines offer service between Houston and 200 ports around the world. It is also home to a $15 billion petrochemical complex, the largest in the nation and second largest worldwide. Piloting into the Next Century In October 1996, President Clinton signed into law the Water Resources Development Act of 1996, which paves the way for widening and deepening the Houston Ship Channel. Plans call for deepening the channel from 40 to 45 feet and widening it from 400 to 520 feet. A combination of local voter-approved bonds and federal funds is being used to finance the improvements. Tomorrow's Busiest Waterway Improving the ship channel will enhance Houston's competitiveness by allowing ships to use their capacity more fully, thus lowering unit transportation costs. These improvements will reduce collision and oil spill risks in the channel and will improve navigational aids. This expansion will also accommodate tomorrow's anticipated mix of marine vessels. A Channel of Emerging Opportunities Modernization of the Houston Ship Channel is imperative if Houston is to maintain its competitive edge against other deep-channel Gulf ports and remain a major international port. By meeting the demands of the global marketplace, the Port of Houston can retain its position of worldwide leadership, thus ensuring more trade, more cargo, more jobs and more economic benefit to the Houston area. The Houston Area A dynamic port helped fuel the Houston area's development as a center of international business and trade. But companies that do business internationally also find Houston attractive because of its well-developed financial infrastructure, skilled work force and diverse population. Ample space and favorable conditions for industrial development, as well as for cargo handling, make Houston a choice location for industry. A Strategic Location Houston's geographic location has proven to be one of its best assets. Centrally located on the Gulf Coast, Houston is a strategic gateway for cargo originating in or destined for the U.S. West and Midwest. Houston lies within close reach of one of the nation's largest concentrations of consumers. More than 17 million people live within 300 miles of the city, and approximately 60 million live within 700 miles. Ample truck, rail and air connections allow shippers to economically transport their goods between Houston and inland points. Foreign Representation Houston is a multicultural community and a thriving international business center. Houston's eight-county metro area is home to 56% of the Texas companies that have operations in other countries and 52% of the foreign companies with Texas offices, according to the Texas Department of Economic Development. Houston has the nation's third largest consular corps with 76 nations represented. Additionally, the Bayou City has 25 foreign banks, 42 international chambers of commerce and trade associations, and numerous Houston operations of foreign-owned companies. Consequently, Houston is home to a large group of international citizens. In additional to being a hotbed of entrepreneurial activity, Houston is a major corporate center. In 2002, the metro area ranked fourth nationally for the number of Fortune 500 headquarters. Twenty-two Houston-based companies made the list, more than any other Texas city. Also, more than half the world's 100 largest non-U.S.-based corporations have operations in Houston. Houston's numerous assets have resulted in the region becoming a high-technology and manufacturing center. In 2001, Industry Week ranked Houston as one of 12 world-class communities for manufacturing for the fourth consecutive year. Only three other US cities made that 2001 listing. Weather Conditions Houston weather is usually fair to excellent, with temperatures moderated by winds from the Gulf of Mexico resulting in mild winters and warm summer nights. Prevailing winds are from the southeast and south, except in January, when frequent passages of high pressure areas bring invasions of polar air and prevailing northerly winds. Destructive windstorms are fairly infrequent, but both thunder squalls and tropical storms occasionally pass through the area. The average number of days with minimum temperatures of 32 degrees Fahrenheit or lower is about seven per year in the city, and about 15 in outlying areas. Most freezing temperatures last only a few hours and are usually accompanied by clear skies. In the city the average date of the first 32 degree temperature is Dec. 11 and the last is Feb. 5. Normal rainfall is about 48.19" (122 cm) and is well distributed throughout the year. Precipitation may vary substantially in different parts of the city on a day-to-day basis. An Environmental Commitment The Port of Houston Authority strives for policies and programs that allow nature and industry to successfully coexist. The Port Authority is committed to ensuring that PHA facilities are in compliance with environmental regulations. Moreover, PHA staff has been involved in a number of environmental activities, helping to develop programs for using dredge materials in a beneficial manner and for better management of dredge material disposal sites. An Emphasis on Ecology The port has developed and implemented award-winning programs that balance the needs of global trade and commerce with local environmental protection. For example, we redeveloped Redfish Island. This plot of land had been a favorite anchorage for boaters until it succumbed to subsidence. Working with the US Army Corps of Engineers and the Beneficial Uses Group a coalition of federal and state agencies and at the request of the community, the port led the efforts to rebuild that island. Today, it is again a favorite boating destination as well as a bird habitat and rookery. We also designed Redfish Island to encourage oyster growth, to re-establish itself as an oyster reef. The port's modernization project to deepen and widen the Ship Channel was crafted with the preservation of Galveston Bay in mind. As project sponsor, the Port Authority worked with a coalition of state and federal resource authorities in developing the plan. The coalition also received input from environmental and bay interest groups. Our strategy focused on: Dredge material is a resource Only environmentally acceptable methods would be used for the dredged disposal The plan would result in long-term "net positive environmental effect" on Galveston Bay. Through these diligent methods, the material from the channel bottom has been reborn as the new Redfish Island. As the port further expands our business capabilities, we strive to maintain these same high standards. Moving forward with the Bayport Terminal expansion project, we continue to work to address all community concerns regarding this proposed facility, all the while setting a new standard in the maritime industry for environmental stewardship and community responsiveness. The Port Authority offers enhanced services to help our customers in conducting international trade. This section can provide tremendous assistance to motor freight carriers by: Allowing truck drivers to determine if an inbound container is released for pickup, or if enough empty containers have been picked up to fill an export booking. Detailed information on how to get in and out of our container terminals efficiently, the documents to have, and the procedures to follow on terminal. Maps to assist both in getting to the terminal and to get around inside the terminals. Customers needing assistance with importing or exporting via ship or other mode of transportation may call 800-688-DOCK (3625). Other customers will find: Information about vessel traffic at the public wharves, what ships are in port and what ships are expected to arrive in the next few weeks. Vital specifications of each wharf are available for download and printing. The complete text of the various Port Authority tariffs are provided in Adobe PDF format. Tariffs provide for the rates, rules and regulations governing the use of Port Authority facilities by all users. Shippers can locate carriers that can carry their cargo to all parts of the world by referencing the All Water Service Guide. Select the destination country, and a list of available steamship lines that will book your cargo will be presented, including contact information and frequency of the service. Small businesses including minority- and women-owned companies are the leading employers in the Houston area and provide nearly half of all jobs in Texas. The Port of Houston Authority recognizes that a vibrant entrepreneurial spirit is vital for a strong economy and leadership in global trade and commerce. According to a recent study, a total of nearly $7 billion in revenue is generated annually by all businesses providing direct services at the Port of Houston. Small businesses that are eligible for the PHA's Small Business Development Program enjoy a significant share of that revenue. The PHA commissioners and executive staff maintain aggressive goals to promote small business participation on Port contracts for products and professional services. The Port of Houston Authority's Small Business Development Program (SBDP) was created to provide additional opportunities for local small businesses to participate in contracting and procurement at the Port of Houston Authority. By formalizing existing practices and implementing new procedures, the SBDP will allow the Port of Houston Authority to target more effectively small business participation (including minority- and women-owned businesses) and create opportunities relating to PHA contracting and procurement. The SBDP is a goal-oriented program, requiring vendors who receive contracts from PHA to use good-faith efforts to utilize certified small businesses. The program applies to all contracts over $25,000, except contracts for sole-source items, federally funded contracts, contracts with other governmental entities and those contracts that are otherwise prohibited by applicable law. The SBDP is a race- and gender-neutral program. SBDP participation is restricted to local small businesses. The Port Commission will establish an annual goal for small business participation at PHA. The initial overall annual goal of the SBDP is 35 percent of the dollar amount of all SBDP-eligible contracts and procurement. Individual contract goals will vary based on subcontracting opportunities, availability of small businesses, and price competitiveness. To participate, small businesses must be certified by an agency or organization whose certification is recognized by PHA or by an independent third-party certification agency retained by PHA. Certification is based on a firm's gross revenues or number of employees as defined by the Small Business Act, Section 3, and 13 C.F.R. 121.201. The net worth of each owner must not exceed $750,000, excluding principal residence and the value of the small business. Small businesses from the Texas counties of Harris, Galveston, Fort Bend, Montgomery, Liberty, Waller, Chambers and Brazoria are eligible to participate. The Small Business Development Program offers these upcoming information seminars and workshops: How to do Business with the Port Authority Feb. 11 - Classes offered from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. San Jacinto College Central Interactive Learning Center 8060 Spence Hwy. Pasadena, Texas 77505 Pasadena Chamber of Commerce Business Expo Feb. 19 from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Pasadena Convention Center 7902 Fairmont Parkway Pasadena, Texas 77504 How to do Business with the Port Authority March 2 - Classes offered from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Houston Community College Administration Building Auditorium 3100 Main St. at Elgin Houston, Texas 77002 Port Authority SBDP Forum March 3 - Executive Office Lunchroom 4:30 to 6 p.m. Government Procurement Connection March 31 from 8:45 a.m. to 4 pm George R. Brown Convention Center Awards luncheon 11:45 a.m. to 1:45 p.m. The Port of Houston Authority Small Business Development policy and procedures are available online in Adobe Portable Document Format (PDF). View the entire Small Business Development Program policy and procedures. Print a copy of the Small Business Development Program application. If you do not have Adobe Acrobat Reader installed on your computer, you may obtain a free copy of the software by clicking on the Reader button below. The Port of Houston is a 25-mile-long complex of diversified public and private facilities located just a few hours' sailing time from Gulf of Mexico Port of Houston (USA) - Port of Houston Authority