Freeport Harbor Channel Improvement Project

According to a 2019 Texas A&M Transportation Institute study, the Freeport Harbor Channel supports business and transportation activities that are responsible for 279,783 jobs annually generating $21.3 billion in total income and $148.8 billion in total economic impact nationally. Among America’s leading ports, Port Freeport ranks in the top 10 for the fastest growing U.S. ports for exports, 19th in total tonnage with 21.2 million total tons handled (projected to increase about 25% over the next four years), and 5th in the state of Texas. The channel handles imports and exports that include raw materials, crude oil, steel, chemicals, automobiles, high and heavy machinery and fresh fruit among many other varieties of industries.

The Freeport Harbor Channel Improvement Project (FHCIP) consists of the deepening and partial widening of the channel and related navigational improvements. In addition to the FHCIP, Port Freeport continues to make progress towards other strategic initiatives including the expansion of the container handling terminal, development of rail-served warehousing and distribution facilities and supporting the development of an efficient transportation corridor to and from Freeport. The Port currently has 51 acres of operational area. After the expansion, that figure will increase to 90 total operational acres. In 2018, the harbor handled approximately 92,370 TEUs. At full build out, the container terminal will be equipped to handle 1.5 million lifts per year. The current depth of the harbor is 46 feet. After the project is complete, the depth will range from 51 to 56 feet, making Port Freeport the deepest port in Texas.