Port Houston Adds New Hybrid RTG Cranes for Continued Growth

New Boat Tour Vessel Also Announced
Reinforcing Commitment to Sustainability and Accessibility

HOUSTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--On Tuesday, March 25, the Port Commission of the Port of Houston Authority met for its regular monthly meeting. Chairman Ric Campo opened the meeting with a heartfelt tribute to former Houston Mayor and Congressman Sylvester Turner, who passed away earlier in the month. Chairman Campo also shared personal reflections on his relationship with the late Congressman.

“Congressman Turner was a champion of our city and of our port and leaves a tremendous legacy. We know his contributions and dedication to public service will have lasting benefits for Houston and our communities,” said Chairman Campo.

Chairman Campo also congratulated U.S. Congressman Babin for being named the Port Person of the Year by the American Association of Port Authorities, citing his long-standing commitment to ensuring federal support of the Houston Ship Channel through legislative advocacy and securing funding.

“Congressman Babin continues to be a steadfast advocate for the port and the maritime industry across the nation,” said Chairman Campo. “He spearheaded the WRDA 24 bill effort to bring federal cost sharing of maintenance and construction to 55-foot channels, a huge win for ports across the U.S. Congratulations to Congressman Babin on this well-deserved achievement.”

New Hybrid RTG Cranes

During the meeting the Port Commission awarded a contract to Konecranes Finland Corporation for the purchase of 16 hybrid rubber-tired gantry (RTG) cranes for Bayport Container Terminal. These new RTG cranes will be Port Houston’s first “one-over-six” container stacking units, setting a new standard moving forward while continuing to expand the port’s hybrid fleet to 46 in total. While this purchase underscores Port Houston’s sustainability efforts, this record also marks Port Houston’s second largest purchase of cranes and will help further optimize the use of terminal space.

Contract Awarded for New Boat Tour Vessel

The Port Commission also awarded a contract to Breaux Brothers Enterprises, Inc. for a new electric/diesel hybrid vessel to provide public tours of the Houston Ship Channel. The current tour boat, the M/V Sam Houston, has served the port for 67 years, providing free tours of the waterway to approximately 30,000 visitors every year. The new ADA-compliant vessel will allow Port Houston to better serve guests with restricted mobility, expand its maritime education outreach, and once again reinforce the port’s commitment to environmental sustainability and carbon neutrality. The estimated construction time for the new vessel is 12-14 months.

Houston Ship Channel Expansion Updates

During the meeting, staff noted the recent bid opening for the latest scheduled Project 11 work: construction by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) of the Beltway 8 Dredged Material Placement Area is now expected to commence in May. In March, Port Houston submitted a letter of intent to the USACE to partner on a feasibility study authorized by WRDA 2024 for Project 12, the next deepening project proposed for the Houston Ship Channel.

Additional Meeting Updates and Announcements

CEO Charlie Jenkins noted that during the recent Ports Day in Austin, Port Houston joined the other 22 Texas seaports of the Texas Ports Association (TPA) to advocate for infrastructure funding and other TPA legislative proposals, authored and filed by port champions Senator Carol Alvarado and Representative Mary Ann Perez.

During the meeting Chairman Campo also shared that the first Port Commission Community Advisory Council (PCCAC) meeting of the year was held earlier in March, with many new members joining the group, representing a diverse range of communities near the Houston Ship Channel.

Finally, the Community Relations Committee met on Tuesday, March 25 to review strategic goals and priorities, signature community engagement efforts, and the maritime workforce of the future program. The 2025 Community Grants Program received a record 183 letters of interest during February from local organizations, and after confirming eligibility, 157 organizations were invited to complete the full application. Final award recommendations will be provided to the Community Relations Committee on Tuesday, June 24.

The Port Commission meets next on Tuesday, April 29, 2025.

About Port Houston

For more than 100 years, Port Houston has owned and operated the public wharves and terminals along the Houston Ship Channel, including the area’s largest breakbulk facility and two of the most efficient container terminals in the country. Port Houston is the advocate and a strategic leader for the Channel. The Houston Ship Channel complex and its more than 200 private and eight public terminals is the nation’s largest port for waterborne tonnage and an essential economic engine for the Houston region, the state of Texas and the U.S. The Port of Houston supports the creation of nearly 1.5 million jobs in Texas and 3.37 million jobs nationwide, and economic activity totaling $439 billion in Texas and $906 billion in economic impact across the nation. For more information, visit the website at PortHouston.com.