The U.S. Maritime Administration (MARAD) awarded the grant through its Port Infrastructure Development Program (PIDP), which provides $450 million in federal funding 

 Port Houston has received a $48 million federal grant to support the construction of a new container yard and the installation of a new exit gate at the Bayport Container Terminal. These projects are part of Port Houston’s Strategic Terminal Operations & Resilience Measures (STORM) application and are designed to accommodate the forecasted increase in demand for the movement of goods while maximising operational efficiency, facility resilience, and the safety of employees and terminal users.

The U.S. Maritime Administration (MARAD) awarded the grant through its Port Infrastructure Development Program (PIDP), which provides $450 million in federal funding for projects that improve the movement of goods through U.S. ports. Port Houston will receive $48 million in PIDP funding and will contribute around $56 million in matching funds to fund these vital improvements.

Support the growth of the Bayport Container Terminal

Port Houston is indebted to our local and federal officials, who persistently advocate on our behalf to direct federal investments to the Port and the Houston Ship Channel," said Port Commission Chairman Ric Campo. ‘I would like to specifically applaud the leadership and partnership of Senators John Cornyn and Ted Cruz, and Congressmen Brian Babin and Sylvia Garcia, for delivering this vital funding, which will help create jobs in our local economy and support the continued growth of our Bayport Container Terminal.’

Related : Port Houston reports a 2% TEU growth at the Bayport berth

The Port is a critical gateway between Texas and the Gulf of Mexico

Upon hearing the announcement, the elected officials expressed their praise. Ted Cruz, the U.S. Senator who chairs the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, said: “Port Houston is a critical gateway between Texas and the Gulf of Mexico. The Maritime Administration’s funding will support the port’s expansion by 47 acres, bringing new terminal gates, reinforcements, and improvements to electrical and communication systems. I congratulate Port Houston on receiving this grant and look forward to seeing its impact on maritime movement in Texas.”

An important doorway for business in America.

.His approval was also expressed by Congressman Brian Babin, who said, "Port Houston is a cornerstone of our regional economy and a critical gateway for American commerce. I fought to help secure this investment because expanding the capacity of the Bayport Container Terminal will strengthen supply chains, create jobs, and generate greater economic opportunities for families across Southeast Texas.” He continued: 'This project will modernise key infrastructure, improve efficiency, and ensure that our ports remain competitive for years to come. I will always stand up for the hardworking men and women of the maritime industry, and I will continue to fight for investments that will keep Texas at the forefront of trade and growth in the nation.”

The significance of the investment

The significance of the investment was also emphasised by Congresswoman Sylvia Garcia, who said, "This $48 million in federal funding for Port Houston is a major investment in one of the most important economic engines in the country. Increasing the capacity of the Bayport Container Terminal will enable goods to be transported more quickly, strengthen supply chains, and allow businesses across our district to grow. It also strengthens resilience and modernises infrastructure, ensuring that the port can continue to serve Houston and the nation. This is how we build a stronger, more competitive future for Texas's 29th congressional district and cement Houston’s role as a global leader in trade”.

The STORM application outlined the following goals:

• Expand Capacity : Increase Bayport’s cargo handling capacity by 440,000 twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs).

• Improve Trucking Efficiency : Construct a new East Exit Gate to ease truck flow, cut congestion, and reduce truck turn times, saving more than 11 million truck hours over the life of the project.

• Strengthen Resiliency: Develop modern utility and drainage infrastructure to safeguard operations against natural and human-made hazards.

• Enhance Safety and Technology: Expand electrical and communications infrastructure to support modern equipment and bolster terminal security.

Federal support through the PIDP will further enhance Port Houston’s multimodal connectivity, reduce land-side congestion, and improve overall terminal efficiency and resilience at the Bayport Container Terminal.

Port Houston is the nation’s fifth-largest container terminal, and its container volume has grown faster than any other major port over the past ten years.

About : Bayport Container Terminal

Bayport Container Terminal is the newest and largest container facility at the Port of Houston, located in Seabrook, Texas. Opened in 2007, Bayport handles approximately 70% of all containerized cargo moving through the Houston Ship Channel, making it the primary gateway for Gulf Coast import and export operations.

The terminal spans over 1,000 acres and features state-of-the-art infrastructure, including ship-to-shore cranes capable of handling the largest container vessels calling on the U.S. Gulf Coast.

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 are 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. For more information, visit the website at PortHouston.com.

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