Caption: Port Chairman Janiece Longoria, Port Commissioners Clyde Fitzgerald and John Kennedy and Brian Fielkow, CEO of Jetco Delivery Co. with Harris County Judge Ed Emmett.

Port Houston participated at the Harris County International Trade and Transportation Conference, hosted by Harris County Judge Ed Emmett's office Dec. 5.

Executive Director Roger Guenther served on a panel with Mediterranean Shipping Company and MTS Logistics that focused on creating capacity for more cargo and freight in the region.

“We have room to grow; we are planning for the future,” Guenther said regarding capacity and the availability of equipment at the port’s facilities. He also shared that the port is looking at customer demand, freight mobility, terminal yard space and vessel size considerations.

One of out of every three exported container from Port Houston contains plastic resins, noted Guenther.

Jim Crane, owner of the World Series winning Houston Astros and the CEO of Crane Capital Group, was the keynote speaker during the event and discussed a variety of topics, including the port.

“The more we invest in the port, the more we can do,” Crane said. ‘We also have three great railroads here. We have the ability to run more business.”

There was also a polyethylene market overview by IHS Markit and a trucking and real estate panel.

Port Houston's FTZ Program and Economic Development Manager Shane Williams was a moderator during a foreign trade zone session. Port Houston manages FTZ 84, which is one of the most successful foreign trade zones in the United States.