Port Houston Launches Own Study to Deepen Ship Channel

Port Houston will undertake its own study of portions of a potential Project 12 to deepen the Houston Ship Channel, CEO Charlie Jenkins announced at the Port Commission meeting on October 21.

The port-led work will proceed under Section 203 of the Water Resources Development Act of 1986, which allows a non-federal interest to conduct a feasibility study and submit it to the Secretary of the Army for review.

It will run in parallel with a traditional feasibility study being carried out with the US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) on improvements to the broader Houston Ship Channel and Galveston Bay system.

Port Houston and USACE held a federal interest determination meeting earlier that week. This started a 45-day process that will produce a recommendation on the Project 12 scope of study.

The port is also evaluating options for the additional container capacity it projects the region will need over the next decade. One option is an expansion north of Barbours Cut Container Terminal onto Spilman Island. Port Houston said this remains one of multiple options under consideration and would require a formal Final Investment Decision by the commission before advancing.

A USACE permit notice for the proposed Barbours Cut Northside expansion describes a terminal of approximately 318 acres. It would have two berthing slips capable of supporting ultra large container vessels (ULCV) and about 3,200 feet of pile-supported wharf.

The port forecasts that its existing container terminals will hit their throughput limit by 2033. New capacity from the expansion would be available by 2036. USACE expects to publish the environmental impact statement in spring 2028.

Port Houston handled 4,303,345 TEU in 2025. Its loaded imports rose five per cent year to date through September.