Jennifer Rao

Galveston Wharves at Port of Galveston

The Port of Galveston is the region's gateway to the Gulf of Mexico for cruise ships and international trade. Located at the entrance to Galveston Bay, the Port leases and maintains facilities on both Galveston Island and Pelican Island. The Galveston Island operations are a diversified mix of cargo including roll-on/roll-off cargo, dry bulk, export grain, refrigerated fruit, general cargo, and project cargo. In addition, the Port currently handles over 1.9 million cruise passenger movements annually. The Port's Pelican Island facilities are comprised of a combination of an active ship and rig repair facility, a liquid bulk operation, facilities that support the offshore exploration and production business, and two parcels of undeveloped property. The Port is a self-supporting enterprise utility of the City of Galveston with operating revenues of approximately $43.5 million. It does not rely on tax dollars for operations. ECONOMIC IMPACT The Port is a major economic engine for local and state economies with a $2.3 billion economic impact and generating almost 14,000 direct and indirect jobs. HISTORY What began as a trading post in 1825 has grown to an 840-acre port facility today. Established by a proclamation issued by the Congress of Mexico in October 1825 while the land known as Texas still belonged to Mexico, the Port of Galveston is the oldest port west of the Mississippi.