Country United States Type of harbor Natural/artificial Value of cargo 10.8 billion USD | Location Texas City, Texas Phone +1 409-945-5011 Opened 1893 | |
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Operated by Port of Texas City / Texas City Terminal Railway Company Owned by Union Pacific Railroad, Burlington Northern Santa Fe Corporation Annual cargo tonnage 52,606,030 short tons (47,723,390 t) Address 605 6th St S, Texas City, TX 77590, USA Owners Union Pacific Railroad, Burlington Northern Santa Fe Corporation | ||
The Port of Texas City is a major deepwater port in Texas City, Texas at Galveston Bay, United States. Its location on the bay, which is used by the Port of Houston and the Port of Galveston, puts Texas City in the heart of one of the world's most important shipping hubs. As of 2008 the Port of Texas City was the 14th leading port in the United States by total tons of trade and as of 2007 it was the 87th leading port in the world, according to the American Association of Port Authorities.
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Traffic volume
In 2008, the total trade at the port was 52,606,030 short tons (47,723,390 t) making Texas City the third leading port in Texas and the 14th leading port in the United States. As of 2007 it was also the 87th leading port in the world. Of that 33,926,630 short tons (30,777,720 t) was foreign imports (7th in the U.S.), 4,783,805 short tons (4,339,795 t) was foreign exports (27th in the U.S.), and 13,895,595 short tons (12,605,872 t) was domestic trade (20th in the U.S.). In 2005, the total value of foreign trade shipped through the port was US$10.8 billion (22nd in the U.S.). Of that the value of foreign imports was US$9.22 billion (22nd in the U.S.) and the value of foreign exports was US$1.6 billion (25th in the U.S.).
Texas City Disaster
In 1947, an explosion aboard the French-flagged S.S. Grandcamp, docked at Texas City, triggered fires and explosions throughout the port and the industrial complex. The resulting destruction is considered by many to be the worst industrial tragedy in the history of the United States. The fires caused more than five hundred deaths, more than four thousand injuries, and more than US$50 million in damage (US$536 million in today's dollars). In spite of the destruction the city was able to rebuild quickly and the port soon re-opened.