The Port of Corpus Christi has marked a historic milestone with the completion of its Ship Channel Improvement Project (CIP), deepening the waterway to 54 feet Mean Lower Low Water (MLLW) and reinforcing the U.S. as a global leader in energy exports.
The CIP, a $625 million project that began construction in 2017, has been a long-standing vision, first conceived over 30 years ago. The project’s goal: to expand the Port’s capacity by deepening the channel from 47 to 54 feet and widening it from 400 to 530 feet, with additional barge shelves to improve traffic flow and safety.
The project, jointly funded by Congress, the Port of Corpus Christi, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), and private marine stakeholders, highlights the power of public-private partnerships in advancing U.S. infrastructure priorities.
Col. Rhett Blackmon, Commander of the USACE Galveston District, acknowledged the significance of this collaboration: “This accomplishment is only possible because of the steadfast support and cooperation of our non-federal partner, the Port of Corpus Christi.” Blackmon also praised the involvement of the Texas General Land Office and the Coastal Bend Bays and Estuaries Program in championing the needs of local communities.
The expanded channel enables safer, more efficient two-way traffic for larger vessels, particularly those transporting crude oil and liquefied natural gas (LNG). Estimated annual transportation cost savings exceed $200 million, reflecting the increased efficiency of the deeper and wider channel.
The Port’s enhanced capabilities have already attracted more than $65 billion in commercial investments to the Coastal Bend region over the past decade. The Port of Corpus Christi has established itself as the largest U.S. crude oil export gateway and the third largest globally, moving over 2.4 million barrels of crude oil per day. Additionally, it is the second largest U.S. gateway for LNG exports.
The Port’s strategic location near the Eagle Ford Shale and Permian Basin has been instrumental in its role as a major energy export hub. Port-related activities and customers now support over 95,000 jobs across Texas, underscoring the economic impact of the channel improvements.
The Corpus Christi Ship Channel’s new depth of 54 feet MLLW positions the Port to accommodate the world’s largest tankers, including Very Large Crude Carriers (VLCCs). As demand for U.S. energy exports continues to grow, the Port’s expanded capacity is set to play a critical role in supporting global energy markets and strengthening supply chain resilience.
