The Port of Houston Authority and Port Corpus Christi, in conjunction with the American Association of Port Authorities (AAPA), will hold separate freight industry “Influencers Roundtables” on Aug. 17 (at the Port of Houston Authority) and Aug. 18 (at Port Corpus Christi), followed each day by a tour of that port.
Titled, “Freight: Keep it Moving,” the two port forums will bring together key thought-leaders throughout the transportation industry to explore critical issues facing U.S. seaports and discuss the increasing strain on the nation’s freight transportation infrastructure. Roundtable participants will be business, port and association executives, supply chain logistics professionals, academics and government officials, who will share their thoughts on the challenges, priorities and possible solutions for making investments in America’s freight transportation network.
In addition to the roundtable discussion and lunch each day, the Port of Houston Authority on Aug. 17, and Port Corpus Christi on Aug. 18, will provide a tour of some of their key marine shipping facilities to help illustrate what was discussed at that day’s “Influencer Roundtable.”
“With manufacturers, policymakers and innovators striving to boost the U.S. economy and create jobs, the role played by America’s ports is more critical than ever,” said AAPA President and CEO Kurt Nagle. “But today, at a time of increasing trade volumes and global competition, these critical economic engines are under threat by a lack of infrastructure investment. Participants in these two forums are part of an elite group of industry thought-leaders whose insights, ideas and solutions to the infrastructure ‘investment gap’ can help pave the way to providing much-needed solutions.”
The Port of Houston, which is the nation’s second-largest tonnage port and the Gulf Coast’s leading container port, comprises eight public and more than 150 private terminals. It was formed by the state of Texas for the purpose of creating jobs and economic development. Houston’s port is responsible for 16 percent of the Texas economy while 7 million Texas residents are employed by companies that have a reliance on freight transportation.
Port Corpus Christi is the eighth-largest tonnage port in the United States and expects to see $40 billion in direct investment into Texas’ Coastal Bend Region over the next 10 years. With deep roots in the petrochemical industries, Port Corpus Christi continues to secure its role as the Energy Port of the Americas, including its role as the top wind energy port in the nation.