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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 eighth in the world. Approximately 175 million tons of cargo moved through the Port of Houston in 2000. A total of 6,801 vessel calls were recorded at the Port of Houston during the year 2000.
The Houston Ship Channel
The Houston Ship Channel has been a catalyst for growth in Harris County since the first journey of a steamship up Buffalo Bayou in 1837. Port activity generates 75,487 direct jobs and 129,033 indirect jobs. More than 90 percent of jobs generated at these terminals are held by residents of Harris County. An annual ecomomic impact of 7.7 billion dollars is generated by businesses providing services at the public and private marine terminals on the Channel. It is projected that the Port of Houston will continue to be an important factor as north-south trade expands.
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