BROWNSVILLE, Texas – Monday, October 7, 2024 – The Port of Brownsville’s Brazos Island Harbor Channel Improvement (BIH) project made progress in September, securing a low interest $43 million loan from the Texas Department of Transportation (TXDOT) — a critical funding boost that brings the historic channel-deepening project closer to reality.

At the Texas Transportation Commission’s regular meeting, held Thursday, Sept. 26, the commission approved a $43 million Ship Channel Improvement Revolving Fund (SCIRF) loan to provide the Port of Brownsville revenue for its local share of qualified costs necessary to deepen the Brazos Island Harbor Channel. The commission approved $400 million in SCIRF loans for two projects near Beaumont and Brownsville. The funding is the result of a bill passed in the 88th Legislature and signed by Texas Governor Greg Abbott in 2023.

“On behal

Editor’s Note: This article is featured in the latest edition of the Port of Brownsville Directory. Click HERE to view directory or to request a copy.

The future of the Rio Grande Valley’s economy is anchored at the Port of Brownsville.  As the only deepwater seaport located on the U.S.-Mexico border, the port’s influence extends beyond Texas.

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Annual Report features the port’s ascension to 50th position among 150 U.S. maritime ports for waterborne cargo. In 2022, the port handled 9.1 million tons of cargo, up from 8.9 million tons in 2021, moving from 55th to 50th place.

The port’s comprehensive logistical network comprised of rail, trucking lines, vessel and barge services and pipeline connectivity are key to the suc

BY WILLIAM DIETRICH/Port Director and CEO of the Port of Brownsville

On August 6, 2024, the United States Court of Appeals made a pivotal decision to revisit the approval of the Rio Grande LNG project. While this decision has been met with mixed reactions, it’s crucial to recognize this project’s significant benefits to South Texas.

The Rio Grande LNG project, led by NextDecade, not only complies with all regulatory requirements but also represents a substantial investment in our local economy and infrastructure. This project is poised to provide much-needed economic growth, job creation, and community development in an area that has long been economically underprivileged.

Being good stewards of the environment is important, and the Rio Grande LNG project has made this a top priority. NextDecade has emphasized the importance of doing this project right and being environme

BROWNSVILLE, Texas- Wednesday, September 11, 2024 – The U.S. Coast Guard Captain of the Port has rescinded Condition Zulu at the Port of Brownsville as of 8:20 a.m., today, September 11, 2024.

Routine port operations have resumed. The Harbor Master’s Office has begun vessel scheduling for all vessels.

All hazards are requested to be reported to the U.S. Coast Guard Sector/ Air Station Corpus Christi Command Center on VHF radio channel 16 or by phone at 1-800-874-2143.

BROWNSVILLE, Texas- Monday, September 9, 2024 – The U.S. Coast Guard Captain of the Port has set the Port of Brownsville to Condition Zulu, suspending all vessel traffic. All movements require Captain of the Port approval.

The SH 550 gate and the gates to the Fishing Harbor remain open, observing regular hours of operation. Any gate closures due to inclement weather will be notified to all port tenants.

The Port continues to monitor the trajectory of Tropical Storm Francine and has prepared for any potential impacts the storm may have in our area. We are working closely with emergency management officials to determine any additional actions necessary to ensure public safety.

Stay tuned for further updates from port authorities and emergency management officials.

For storm updates and the latest weather advisories, please visit Read More

BROWNSVILLE, Texas – Monday, September 9, 2024 –The Port of Brownsville’s Foreign Trade Zone (FTZ) continues unlocking new opportunities for the Rio Grande Valley, serving as a strategic gateway providing convenient connectivity for global trade.

In its 85th Annual Report of the Foreign-Trade Zones Board to Congress, published Aug. 28, the Port of Brownsville’s FTZ No. 62 ranked 3^rd in the nation for the value of exports at $7 billion. This is the 12th consecutive year FTZ No. 62 lands in the top three spots in the country. For the first time, FTZ No. 62 broke through the Top 20 list for the value of imports, ranking 14th with $3.2 billion worth of commodities imported.

“Our foreign trade zone is an indispensable asset that significantly bolsters the economic landscape of the Rio Grande Valley and Northern Mexico,” said Port Director and CEO

BROWNSVILLE, Texas- Monday, September 9, 2024 –The U.S. Coast Guard Captain of the Port has set the Port of Brownsville to Condition X-Ray as of September 7, 2024. This condition indicates that hurricane-force winds are possible within 48 hours. We are working closely with emergency management officials to determine any additional actions necessary to ensure public safety. Stay tuned for further updates from port authorities and emergency management officials. For storm updates and the latest weather advisories, please visit Read More

GALVESTON, Texas — August 13, 2024 The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) Galveston District (SWG) awarded a contract in the amount of $104 million to Callan Marine Ltd. for deepening of the Brazos Island Harbor (BIH) Ship Channel in south Texas, August 12, 2024.

USACE and the Port of Brownsville will be deepening the ship channel by 10 ft. to a new authorized depth of 52 ft. for a 13-mile segment. This section of the project is known as BIH Segment B.

The contractor is required to remove approximately 7,000,000 cubic yards of material using a pipeline dredge to deepen the navigation channel which will be placed into Placement Area (PA) 5B which was improved by the Port of Brownsville along with PA 7 in preparation of this contract award. Work is scheduled to begin October 2024 with an estimated completion date of June 2026.

“Our close partnership with the

BROWNSVILLE, Texas — August 9, 2024 — As a child, Gene R. Tuttle Jr. often visited his father Gene Tuttle Sr. on tugboats at the Port of Houston sparking his interest in the maritime industry. Today, Tuttle Jr. proudly follows in his father’s footsteps as a Branch Pilot for the Brazos Santiago Pilots Association (BSPA).Read More

After over 20 years of service in Seatrium AmFEL’s shipyard at the Port of Brownsville, the Solomon P. Ortiz dry dock was retired in May and the contract for its dismantling and recycling was awarded to neighboring SA Recycling-SteelCoast.

The dry dock helped AmFELS land important projects supporting thousands of jobs in the Rio Grande Valley and solidifying the company as the foremost offshore shipyard on the Gulf of Mexico capable of designing, constructing, and repairing mobile drilling rigs and offshore oil platforms.

Seatrium AmFELS Senior Marketing Manager Khon-Whey Tay said the dry dock was vital to several projects over the years including the construction of the Helix Well Ops Q4000 DP3 Well Intervention Vessel, a semisubmersible vessel designed for well intervention and construction in water depths to 10,000 ft. After the vessel’s completion and delivery, the Q4000 re

Brownsville Navigation District (BND) Chairman Esteban Guerra was appointed to serve on the Border Trade Alliance (BTA) Board of Directors during the organization’s Summer 2024 meeting held in June in Washington, D.C.

In a news release, BTA President Britton Mullen said Guerra’s appointment “underscores the BTA’s commitment to enhancing trade efficiency across all modes of transport.” A major center for intermodal transportation and industrial development, the Port of Brownsville is the only deepwater seaport directly on the U.S.-Mexico border.

“We are so fortunate to welcome Esteban Guerra to the Border Trade Alliance Board of Directors. His expertise on public and private sector policies will help make our borders more efficient, secure, and economically competitive,” Mullen said.

Since 1986, the BTA has served as a grassroots, non-profit organization that provides a