Houston / Texas / United States
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 sixth in the world. The Port is made up of the port authority and the 150-plus private industrial companies along the ship channel. All together, the port authority and its neighbors along the Houston Ship Channel are a large and vibrant component to the regional economy. About 190 million tons of cargo moved through the Port in 2003. A total of 6,301 vessel calls were recorded at the Port of Houston during the year 2003. The Houston Pilots navigate each vessel through the Houston Ship Channel. The ship channel officially opened Nov. 10, 1914.
