Port Houston Celebrates Historic Project 11 Milestone

Houston Ship Channel expansion strengthens safety, efficiency, and regional prosperity

HOUSTON, October 09, 2026--Port Houston joined federal, state, and local elected officials and industry partners Thursday, October 8, to celebrate the completion of Port Houston-led segments of Project 11, the latest expansion of the Houston Ship Channel and one of the most significant infrastructure projects in the waterway's history.

The completed work widened the Houston Ship Channel by 170 feet along its Galveston Bay reach, from 530 feet to 700 feet, and created new bird islands, oyster reefs, and marsh habitat using dredged material. The improvements increase safety and efficiency along the nation's busiest waterway and strengthen the Houston Ship Channel's ability to support growing trade and economic activity.

The milestone reflects years of collaboration among Port Houston, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, industry partners, and elected leaders to accelerate improvements to the waterway.

"I've spent much of my career working on the Houston Ship Channel, and Project 11 is especially meaningful to me," said Port Houston CEO Charlie Jenkins. "I remember when this project was still an idea and we were figuring out how to make it happen. Now, ships are moving through a wider, safer channel because our team, the Army Corps, industry, and elected leaders found a way to get it done. To see that progress firsthand is something I'm incredibly proud of."

To expedite this critical project, Port Houston and industry partners recognized the need to do things differently and agreed to help pay for Project 11, which cut years off the delivery timeline and provides benefits to all users of the channel. The remainder is being funded through several federal sources.

"Project 11 is transformational for the Houston Ship Channel," said Port Commission Chairman Ric Campo. "From the beginning, we challenged ourselves to deliver this project differently: faster, more efficiently, and with strong financial discipline. Port Houston completed its portion on time and on budget, and faster than any comparable project in the U.S. The extraordinary partnership between Port Houston, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, and industry made this achievement possible."

"The wider channel will improve air quality and enable cargo vessels to reduce their daylight restrictions, making the nation's busiest port safer and more efficient," said U.S. Sen. John Cornyn. "I look forward to seeing the positive impact this historic project will have on the Texas Gulf Coast as it creates jobs, drives international trade, and boosts economic prosperity across Texas and our nation."