Port Houston welcomed the House Select Committee on Texas Ports, Innovation and Infrastructure at the Bayport Container Terminal Nov. 1.

Created earlier this year by Texas House Speaker Joe Straus, the committee is responsible for reviewing state policies and discussing long-term challenges facing Texas ports and infrastructure and to propose solutions to address those needs and keep ports competitive.

Port Houston leadership and staff discussed the port's role and operations and provided an overview of the greater Port of Houston, highlighting its economic impact to the state.

Chairman Janiece Longoria noted that the port’s container traffic is growing every year. A total of 63 percent of Port Houston's cargo is containerized, with East Asia cargo making up 37 percent of the port’s containerized imports.

Executive Director Roger Guenther noted that technologies are all about creating a more efficient port for the users.

Port Houston Channel Development Director Mark Vincent gave a presentation about Houston Ship Channel development activities, while Chief Port Infrastructure Officer Rich Byrnes discussed transportation, logistics and freight mobility. 

The visit concluded with a container yard tour of both Bayport and Barbours Cut terminals.