Port Houston has been awarded US$ 48 million in federal funding through the US Maritime Administration’s Port Infrastructure Development Program to support the construction of a new container yard and the installation of a new exit gate at the Bayport Container Terminal.
The grant will be matched by approximately US$ 56 million in port funds, bringing the total investment to around US$ 104 million. The projects form part of Port Houston’s Strategic Terminal Operations and Resilience Measures application and are designed to accommodate projected growth in cargo volumes while improving operational efficiency, resilience and safety.
The capacity expansion is expected to increase Bayport’s container handling capacity by 440,000 TEUs.
A new East Exit Gate will be constructed to ease truck flow, reduce congestion and cut truck turn times, with projected savings of more than 11 million truck hours over the life of the project.
The investment also encompasses modern utility and drainage infrastructure to strengthen resilience against natural and man-made hazards, as well as expanded electrical and communications systems to support advanced equipment and enhance terminal security.
Port Houston is the fifth largest container terminal in the United States and has recorded faster container volume growth than any other major US port over the past decade.
The grant builds on the port’s strong first-quarter 2026 performance, during which it surpassed one million TEUs for the period.
Port Commission Chairman Ric Campo expressed gratitude for the support of Texas’s federal delegation in securing the investment.
Senator Ted Cruz, Senator John Cornyn, Congressman Brian Babin and Congresswoman Sylvia Garcia all expressed strong support for the grant, citing its significance for regional supply chains, employment and the long-term competitiveness of Port Houston as a gateway for American commerce.
