May 9, 2025
By Rodger Rees, Galveston Wharves Port Director and CEO
Roll-on/roll-off (ro-ro) cargo keeps on rolling at the Port of Galveston. Ro-ro has been one our most consistent commodities for decades, providing good-paying jobs for union workers, truck drivers, stevedores and others involved in moving this cargo.
The port has had success with ro-ro for several reasons. We’ve built strong, long-term relationships with our cargo carriers and stevedores and we have a great location on the Gulf Coast served by rail lines and just 10 minutes from a major interstate highway.
Galveston imports new cars, heavy equipment and general breakbulk, largely from the European Union, England and Mexico. In 2024 ro-ro volumes contributed 445,000 tons to the port’s cargo total of 3.4 million tons. Between 6 and 10 ships from four liner services call on the port monthly.
In the first quarter of 2025, the port’s monthly cargo tonnages increased from 259,085 tons in January to 746,958 tons in March. Ro-ro volumes have risen from 22,828 tons in January to 85,244 in March.
To meet growing demand from its ro-ro carrier partners, the port is investing $77.5 million to expand and improve its West Port Cargo Complex. Construction work to add berth and laydown areas should be completed in April 2026.
As the port marks its 200th anniversary, we’re celebrating 30 years with Wallenius Wilhelmsen and more than 15 years with American Roll-On Roll-Off Carrier (ARC). K-Line and NYK also call on the port. Ports America Texas Inc. has been our ro-ro stevedore for well over a decade.
About Wallenius Wilhelmsen and ARC
Wallenius Wilhelmsen’s (WW) legacy in Galveston began even before the company’s formation. On Sept. 29, 1995, Swedish-based Wallenius Lines moved their U.S. Gulf operations from Houston’s Barbour’s Cut terminal to Galveston’s Pier 37, establishing weekly inbound vessel calls between Europe and the Far East.
As one of the only carriers supporting Galveston, this move launched a 30-year partnership, leading to over 1,800 deep-sea ro-ro vessel calls and more than 1 million manhours for the Galveston economy.
ARC operates across six continents and has made Galveston a strategic hub for more than 15 years. The port plays a vital role in ARC’s key trade lanes, including services between South America and North America, Transpacific, and Transatlantic routes. Since first arriving in Galveston in 2007, ARC’s footprint at the port has steadily expanded.
Bicentennial Partners
We’re proud to have WW and ARC among our long-time port partners and bicentennial sponsors who are funding community bicentennial events, with net proceeds going toward maritime education scholarship.
WW is presenting sponsor for our National Maritime Day, 9 a.m.-noon Thursday, May 22. Come down to Pier 21 to tour an 87-foot Coast Guard cutter and other vessels, visit with our maritime exhibitors and attend our commemorative ceremony at 10 a.m. The event is free and open to the public.
