Houston Ship Channel Named Top U.S. Waterway
At its regularly scheduled meeting on Tuesday, April 29, 2025, the Port Commission of the Port of Houston Authority convened to discuss operational updates, infrastructure milestones, leadership transitions, and strategic priorities for the months ahead. The meeting opened with a major announcement from Chairman Ric Campo that underscored Houston’s continued significance to national commerce and global maritime trade: the Houston Ship Channel has once again earned the top ranking as the busiest waterway in the United States.
This prestigious recognition comes from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), which released its latest annual report evaluating cargo throughput across the nation’s key waterways. According to the report, the Houston Ship Channel handled an astonishing 309.5 million short tons of cargo in 2023, representing a 5.3% year-over-year increase and further solidifying its leadership position. In fact, the volume of goods moving through Houston eclipses other ports by such a wide margin that the difference in tonnage between Houston and the second-ranked U.S. port is greater than the annual throughput of 97% of American ports.
“This ranking reinforces just how vital the Houston Ship Channel is for our region and for the entire nation,” Chairman Campo stated during the meeting. “More than three million jobs depend on our Channel, and at Port Houston, it’s our job to protect this asset. With our Channel expansion project, known as Project 11, we are helping ensure this critical waterway remains open, safe, and competitive for decades to come.”
The Houston Ship Channel is a 52-mile-long maritime superhighway that plays a critical role in supporting U.S. economic output. It services more than 200 private terminals and eight public terminals, serving a wide spectrum of industries including petrochemicals, energy, manufacturing, agriculture, machinery, and consumer goods. The Channel is central to the movement of raw materials, refined products, and finished goods, making it not only a regional asset but also a linchpin of global trade networks.
With cargo volumes consistently trending upward, the Channel’s economic reach extends well beyond Texas. According to Port Houston data, the Ship Channel supports approximately 3.37 million jobs across the U.S. and generates $906 billion in annual economic activity. These numbers highlight its outsized contribution to national logistics networks, supply chains, and industrial production.
Chairman Campo also addressed the potential implications of recent tariff policy changes that could affect Port Houston operations. “We are, like everyone, analyzing the data and assessing the situation,” he said. “Tariffs would impact our own expenses at Port Houston, including our ship-to-shore (STS) crane purchases. We support the end goal of strengthening domestic manufacturing and encourage the administration to work with our industry to develop a path forward that minimizes unintended consequences on American workers, exporters and consumers.”
Executive Transitions Mark a New Chapter for Port Leadership
Port Houston Chief Executive Officer Charlie Jenkins took time during the meeting to recognize the career and forthcoming retirement of Chief Operating Officer Tom Heidt, a veteran of the organization with over four decades of service. Heidt, who began his Port Houston journey in accounting and rose through the ranks to assume the COO role in 2015, has been instrumental in operational advancements and modernization efforts throughout his tenure.
“Tom has dedicated his career to Port Houston, and we appreciate him and all he has done to help grow the port to what it is today,” Jenkins said. “With his retirement comes the opportunity for new leadership, and we look forward to what is to come.”
Jenkins also announced a series of leadership promotions and organizational changes, reflecting Port Houston’s forward-looking approach to talent management and strategic planning. Effective May 1, 2025, Jessica Shaver, currently Chief People Officer, will assume the role of Chief Administrative Officer. In her new position, Shaver will oversee strategic planning, talent development, and internal operations.
Additionally, Carlecia Wright, previously Chief Business Equity Officer, will take on the role of Chief People Officer, bringing her experience in equity and workforce development to the human capital function. Candice Armenoff, formerly Director of Operations and Planning, has been promoted to the newly created position of Chief Strategy Officer, where she will lead long-term planning and transformation initiatives. Port Houston is actively recruiting a new Chief Operating Officer to lead its commercial, maintenance, operations, and infrastructure efforts.
Project 11: Channel Expansion Efforts Advance Steadily
Significant progress continues on Project 11, the multi-year, multi-phase initiative to widen and deepen the Houston Ship Channel. Designed to improve safety, efficiency, and competitiveness, the expansion will accommodate larger vessels and enable two-way traffic in key segments.
During the meeting, Port officials reported that the USACE is set to award its second Project 11 contract for the construction of the Beltway 8 Dredged Material Placement Area. Meanwhile, Port Houston’s own dredging contracts with Weeks Marine and Callan Marine are progressing on schedule and within budget. The final dredging segment in the Galveston Bay area—specifically between Bayport and Barbours Cut—is expected to be completed by mid-2025, marking a major milestone in the overall project.
Operational Performance: Growth in Exports Amid Mixed Volume Trends
Despite some headwinds, Port Houston’s container operations continue to demonstrate resilience. Through March 2025, total tonnage across all public terminals is down 2% compared to the same period in 2024. However, this represents an improvement over the previous month, when operations were more heavily impacted by weather-related disruptions, including dense fog.
Containerized cargo has shown relative stability, with volumes surpassing 1 million twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) year-to-date and remaining steady compared to last year. Notably, March 2025 was the busiest March on record for container handling, driven by a 13% increase in exports compared to March 2024. This spike reflects both strong outbound demand and a rebound from lower-than-average volumes in February.
On the multipurpose terminal side, overall volumes have declined 7% year-to-date but showed a modest month-over-month rebound of 2%. The decline has been largely attributed to weak liquid imports and lower dry bulk export volumes. However, steel imports have increased by 4% since January, providing a bright spot within the breakbulk sector.
Strengthening National and Community Partnerships
Port Houston’s leadership continues to engage with federal lawmakers to advocate for legislative priorities affecting maritime infrastructure. Earlier in April, CEO Charlie Jenkins met with Congressman Mike Collins of Georgia, Chair of the Water Resources & Environment Subcommittee of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee. Their discussion focused on the future of the Houston Ship Channel, its role in national supply chain resilience, and how legislation such as the Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) can support infrastructure investment and modernization.
Locally, Port Houston commissioners participated in a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the new Holly Bay Pavilion at Holly Bay Park in Pasadena. The initiative is part of the East Harris County Greenspace Program, which aims to improve access to outdoor recreation and community gathering spaces in underserved areas. “We were happy to be able to support this initiative and be part of the community’s beautification work, giving them a space to gather and enjoy the outdoors,” Chairman Campo remarked.
Looking ahead, Port Houston is also preparing to co-host Navy Fleet Week for the first time in November 2025, in partnership with the City of Houston and other regional stakeholders. The event will mark the 250th anniversaries of the U.S. Navy and U.S. Marine Corps and will include ship visits, public events, and ceremonies at port terminals. “We are excited to be a part of this celebration,” said Jenkins. “This is a meaningful way to honor our military history and engage the public with our maritime heritage.”
Financial Transparency and Governance
In closing, the Port Commission approved the Port Authority’s Fiscal Year 2024 Annual Comprehensive Financial Report (ACFR), which included the Report of Independent Public Accountants. The audit received an unmodified opinion with no findings, indicating sound financial management and governance practices.
This clean audit reflects Port Houston’s commitment to transparency, accountability, and long-term fiscal responsibility as it continues to invest in infrastructure, workforce development, and environmental stewardship.