Port Houston completes key Project 11 upgrades

Port Houston has completed its segments of Project 11, widening the Houston Ship Channel’s Galveston Bay reach by 170 feet (52 metres) to 700 feet (213 metres) and creating hundreds of acres of wildlife habitat to support safer navigation and growing trade.

The improvements include 10 acres of bird islands, 324 acres (131 ha) of oyster reefs and 800 acres (324 ha) of marsh habitat created using dredged material. The wider channel is already delivering operational benefits, with restrictions on daylight transits for larger vessels eased in 2025 along the 700-foot (213 metres) reach from Bolivar Roads to Morgans Point.

Port Houston chief executive Charlie Jenkins said the project represented years of work to turn an ambitious plan into practical improvements.

“Now, ships are moving through a wider, safer channel because our team, the Army Corps, industry and elected leaders found a way to get it done,” he said.

Port Houston and industry partners agreed to help fund the expansion to accelerate delivery, with the remaining work supported by several federal funding sources. The approach cut years from the project timeline, while enabling benefits for users across the waterway.

Port Commission chair Ric Campo said Port Houston had completed its portion on time and on budget, adding that the partnership with the US Army Corps of Engineers and industry had been central to the achievement.

The improvements are intended to increase vessel movements, reduce waiting times and strengthen supply chain efficiency at the nation’s busiest waterway. The wider channel also supports improved air quality by allowing cargo vessels to operate with fewer daylight restrictions.

Federal funding has contributed to the programme, including more than US$140 million secured through the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, according to US Representative Lizzie Fletcher.

Project 11 is the eleventh major expansion of the Houston Ship Channel. US Army Corps of Engineers-led work remains ongoing to complete the wider programme, which aims to accommodate future demand for energy exports, petrochemicals and international cargo while enhancing navigation safety and environmental capacity.