In and Out
Texas is a major player in the global economy. As one important example, the state is home to an enormous and crucial component of the nation's maritime transportation infrastructure. Texas boasts 19 commercial seaports, 11 of which are deepwater, and more cargo moves through the Lone Star State than any other by far. These ports also support a large component of the economy, both here and elsewhere.
In 2022, almost 2.4 billion tons were shipped through US ports, with 651.7 million of them passing through Texas (well over one-fourth of the total). Of that amount, about 374.9 million tons represented exports to foreign markets, with another 56.8 million to domestic markets. Of the tonnage received, 127.6 million tons arrived from foreign countries and 25.5 million were domestic.
There are about 150 commercial ports in the United States, and six of the 20 largest (measured by tonnage) are located in Texas. Houston tops the list by a significant margin, while Corpus Christi is ranked third and rising rapidly. Other high-volume ports include Beaumont (ranked seventh), Port Arthur (15th), Texas City (17th), and Freeport (19th). Several others, including Galveston and Brownsville, also see notable cargo volumes.