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.

About 190 million tons of cargo moved through the Port of Houston in 2003. A total of 6,301 vessel calls were recorded at the Port of Houston during the year 2003. The Houston Pilots navigate each vessel through the Houston Ship Channel.

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.

The Port of Houston Authority’s governance is presided over by Chairman James T. Edmonds, Commissioner Steve Phelps, Commissioner James W. Fonteno, Jr., Kase L. Lawal, Commissioner Jimmy A. Burke, Commissioner Janiece Longoria and Commissioner Elyse Lanier.