Port CEO Kent Britton says growth has opened the door for new industries — including container shipping, a first for the Port of Corpus Christi.
CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas — Leaders at this year’s State of the Port address reflected on a year of economic growth and outlined a vision for continued expansion that could shape the Coastal Bend’s economy for decades to come.
With the deepening of the Corpus Christi Ship Channel completed in June and the construction of the new Harbor Bridge nearing completion, Port officials say the region is poised for new opportunities — from expanded energy exports to entirely new types of shipping.
“We have to have more pipeline capacity down here. Two of the three main pipelines that come to Corpus Christi from West Texas are expandable, so we’re hoping to see the investment from those companies to expand those pipelines in the next few years and we’ll continue to move that crude oil. But there’s lots of other things available now to us because of the deeper channel and higher bridge capacity and so we’ll be taking a look at container ships for example. Seeing if there’s a market there,” said Kent Britton, CEO of the Port of Corpus Christi.
Britton said the port’s growth has opened up the potential to attract new industries and customers — including container shipping, something the port has not previously handled.
“Obviously, if we get into something like containers that will, by nature of the fact we don’t have any now will mean new customers. But the markets from Corpus Christi are endless. You can go anywhere in the world by water once you get out of here and so we’re looking forward to the additional business,” Britton said.
Local business leaders say that kind of diversification — adding new shipping capabilities while continuing to strengthen the port’s energy exports — is exactly what will keep the Coastal Bend economy thriving.
“Texas is crude oil rich, and those pipelines certainly help service that. But I think it’s been the deepening of the channel, the expansion at the port itself that continues to have that capacity to bring in these very large crude carriers. So I think as you continue to see the port enhance, it’s going to continue to grow the economy in the Coastal Bend and in Texas,” said Al Arreola Jr., president and CEO of the United Corpus Christi Chamber of Commerce.
Arreola also emphasized the need for long-term planning as the region continues to grow, especially when it comes to managing resources and maintaining infrastructure.
“It’s really important that we continue to look at our situation objectively and try to find solutions: long term, long range, and obviously the ones that’ll solve the immediate need and challenges that we’re dealing with…. water is everything, and we’re gonna need to keep cognizant of that,” Arreola said.
As the Port of Corpus Christi continues to expand its footprint and shipping capacity, leaders say the community must also be ready to tackle challenges — including the region’s ongoing water supply concerns.
“I have full confidence that we’re going to get through this and get this worked out. There are lots of options on the table and I feel very confident the city is going to find its way through this situation that we’re in and then hopefully it rains,” Britton said.
Port officials say continued investment in infrastructure — from pipelines to terminals — will be key to maintaining Corpus Christi’s position as one of the largest energy export hubs in the nation, while also preparing for new industries and markets that could redefine its future.