On Friday, November 22, Ric Campo, Chairman of the Port Commission of the Port of Houston Authority, delivered the annual State of the Port address to the Greater Houston Partnership. Reflecting on the Houston Ship Channel’s 110th anniversary as a deep-water port, Campo emphasized its pivotal role in transforming Houston into a thriving international hub. He urged today’s leaders to embrace the same dedication and foresight as the visionaries who established the port over a century ago.
Campo highlighted the channel’s top rankings in multiple categories and its importance to the region’s economic growth, noting, “Big growth equals big opportunities.” A key focus of his address was the continued investment in infrastructure to support this expansion, including the Houston Ship Channel Expansion – Project 11.
Port Houston has invested $1.54 billion in infrastructure over the past five years and plans to allocate an additional $1.7 billion over the next five years. These investments aim to enhance capacity and ensure the port remains equipped for future demands. Campo assured attendees that Project 11 remains on schedule and within budget, reflecting Port Houston’s commitment to safety, efficiency, and economic vitality.
Campo celebrated Houston’s collaborative spirit, highlighting partnerships with terminal industry leaders to share the financial responsibilities for Project 11. He underscored the expansion’s significance for job creation and the region’s sustained prosperity.
The event also marked the formal introduction of Port Houston’s CEO, Charlie Jenkins, to the business community. During a “fireside chat” with Jenkins, Campo emphasized the enduring responsibility of Houston’s leaders to safeguard the channel’s legacy and ensure its continued role as an economic driver for the region and the nation.
With a focus on stewardship, collaboration, and resilience, the State of the Port address underscored the importance of the Houston Ship Channel as a cornerstone of the region’s growth and success.
About Port Houston
For more than 100 years, Port Houston has owned and operated the public wharves and terminals along the Houston Ship Channel, including the area’s largest breakbulk facility and two of the most efficient container terminals in the country. Port Houston is the advocate and a strategic leader for the Channel. The Houston Ship Channel complex and its more than 200 private and eight public terminals is the nation’s largest port for waterborne tonnage and an essential economic engine for the Houston region, the state of Texas and the U.S. The Port of Houston supports the creation of nearly 1.5 million jobs in Texas and 3.37 million jobs nationwide, and economic activity totaling $439 billion in Texas and $906 billion in economic impact across the nation.