Port Reports Progress on Major Priorities

Port Reports Progress on Major Priorities

August 31, 2026

By Rodger Rees, Galveston Wharves Port Director and CEO -- It’s turning out to be another exciting growth year at the Port of Galveston. I’m proud to share our progress on our top priorities, all to fulfill our mission – to generate and reinvest revenues to benefit the Galveston community with economic growth, jobs and sales tax revenues.

If you follow the port, you know we always have several interesting projects in development because we’re driven to continuously grow and improve, guided by our long-range strategic master plan.

Here’s a recap of our progress this year. Linked together, the projects highlight the port’s contributions to regional job growth, economic development and a stronger Galveston community. 

Cargo investment: We recently completed our $106 million cargo facility expansion. We enclosed two outdated slips, filled a slip, built a new 1,410-foot-long berth, demolished a decommissioned grain elevator and repaved large areas for cargo handling. In all, we added almost 30 acres to the 60-acre facility to meet tenant demand and grow our cargo business.

Traffic and Pedestrian Improvements: At the start of the year, I mentioned that we were talking with the city about a mobility study to understand how port growth impacts traffic in downtown and adjacent areas. Not only have we begun the port-funded study, we’re also spending $8.5 million in port funds and grants to study and build traffic and pedestrian safety improvements. This focus has and will continue to be central to port planning. 

Pelican Island Development: Davie Defense’s plans to invest $1 billion in shipbuilding at the Gulf Copper facility has jumpstarted port plans to develop its adjacent 100-acre greenfield site on Galveston Harbor. We’re pursuing a federal grant to help fund a new berth, roads and other improvements to support shipbuilding activities, new cargo business and a much-needed LNG bunkering facility to fuel LNG-powered cruise and cargo ships.

Pelican Island Bridge Replacement: The narrow, aging bridge that connects Galveston and Pelican islands has long stymied development on the port’s 357 acres on Pelican Island. After years of discussions, we may finally be making progress toward a solution. 

Led by Congressman Randy Weber, a stakeholder working group has agreed to evaluate the feasibility of a navigational structure that is  basically a wide earthen levee with a 4-lane road and bicycle and pedestrian lane. This design also offers the opportunity to build rail to Pelican Island.

The port, as the non-federal sponsor, has received permission from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to have a feasibility study done to determine viability of the new plan. We have issued a request for qualifications for a firm to assist in the study, which we hope to have the study done by yearend.

Cruise Growth

Our cruise sector continues to set growth records year over year. This year we’re forecasting 2 million passengers on 446 sailings. 

Driven by market demand, we’re in talks with cruise lines interested in sailing from our existing four terminals. This will round out utilization of our terminals and offer our 46-million-person drive market exciting new vacation options. We’re also in talks with a cruise partner about developing a fifth terminal. 

All in all, it’s turning into another great year at the Port of Galveston, which means more good-paying jobs, spending with local business and revenues for the city of Galveston.