The Port of Corpus Christi is the fifth-largest port in terms of tonnage in the United States. It is the most recent participant in the international Green Marine program. Photo by Carrie Robertson Meyer/Third Coast Photo
With one port and two international bridges in his district, state Sen. Juan “Chuy” Hinojosa might well be a perfect pick for the newly created Senate Select Committee on Texas Ports. Appointed by Gov. Greg Abbott, the committee will study the economic benefit of the Panama Canal expansion to Texas ports. It will also look at what Texas ports must do to remain competitive in a rapidly expanding global market.
How Texas responds in the coming legislative session to worldwide growth in commerce and trade will be critical to the state’s future economic development, Hinojosa wrote in a public letter to his South Texas District, which includes Nueces County.
“The use of Texas waterways and roadways is quickly escalating, fueled by the expansion of the Panama Canal, the surge in the state’s population, and the growth of our produce industry,” Hinojosa wrote. “Dedicating critical investments to both our seaports and land ports is dedicating ourselves to a competitive and profitable economic future for all Texans.”
The Panama Canal expansion has made it possible for the newer, bigger super tankers to more quickly transverse the globe. The Port of Corpus Christi, the seventh largest in terms of tonnage in the United States, has been preparing for the bigger ships by widening and deepening the ship channel. At the moment, the port is short of necessary funds to do much more infrastructure work. More money from the state would be a welcome addition to port coffers.
Legislative commitment
During its last session in 2015, the Texas Legislature passed two riders to the 2016-17 state transportation budget aimed at funding more projects for ports and border infrastructure. Hinojosa authored Rider 11(B), the Border Infrastructure Rider, directing the Texas Department of Transportation to allocate funds to improve border inspection efficiency and security processes at land ports along the Texas-Mexico border.
Hinojosa also supported Rider 48, which allocated $20 million for capital port improvements. The Port of Corpus Christi will receive $3.3 million this year from that allocation.
“It is because of this commitment that we must do more,” Hinojosa said as the legislature begins preparations for the next session, which commences in January 2017. “We must continue to prepare for growth and to increase funding so that more projects may be supported.”
Texas ports generate $270 billion in economic activity and $6 billion in state and local taxes a year. Border ports of entry and international bridges facilitate some $200 billion in trade with Mexico a year.
