U.S. in foreign waterborne tonnage
Most of the trade transits the Houston Ship Channel – a 25-mile-long complex of diversified public and private facilities located just a few hours by ship from the Gulf of Mexico. The port is consistently: ranked 1st in the U.S. in foreign waterborne tonnage; the largest Gulf Coast container port, handling 66% of US Gulf Coast container traffic in 2013, and the nation's leading breakbulk port, handling 65% of all major U.S. project cargo.
Port business is booming and for firms—U.S. and foreign—looking to establish an operating presence in the Port area, it can be both very rewarding and challenging.
Houston companies have an opportunity to tap into a very large consumer market outside the United States. In doing so, they can grow their business and create opportunities to diversify their income and revenues. Companies need to do, at least, four basic things. They need to create an export plan, conduct market research, identify buyers and learn a lot more about export financing, insurance and shipping.
You may benefit from an objective advisor who can provide information on logistics providers, free trade zones, freight forwarders, and warehouse operators, also information on investment-grade properties in and around the ship channel that can be leased or purchased for warehousing, distribution, and/or manufacturing. Since 2006 nearly 13 million square feet has been developed and currently there's 2.5 million square feet available.