Member Benefits

Become a part of Houston’s premier maritime organization. Through membership with the Greater Houston Port Bureau, you join leading companies in the port region to advance maritime progress and prosperity now – and for the next generation.

“Suderman & Young Towing Company has been a proud member of the Greater Houston Port Bureau for decades. Not only has it opened up many industry networking opportunities, the Port Bureau serves as an advocate and focal point for various Port issues including the deepening and widening of the Houston Ship Channel and port efficiency. GHPB works hard to make sure the country and the world knows all the positive things about the Port of Houston. As the Port grows, so do the companies that make up this vast port community. This growth is enhanced by their advocacy, positive image and their continuous promotion and support of the Port.”

Kirk Jackson, President

Suderman & Young Towing Company

Benefits of Being a Port Bureau Member

To build a bigger network. Company profiles in the Port Bureau’s online Membership Directory increase visibility to boost business referrals. Members can accelerate outreach through sponsorships at Port Bureau events and discounted advertising in our publications. All members receive discounts for our monthly Commerce Club luncheon series, a prime opportunity to entertain and educate clients on port region advantages or make new contacts to build business. Executive Partners engage at special Port Bureau CONNECT events for wider networking opportunities.

To exchange insights and ideas. Get more involved with peers to encourage wider public support for Houston Ship Channel initiatives and add your own forward-thinking input for industry success. Collaborate and cooperate in a key area that impacts your bottom line: Houston Ship Channel dredging and maintenance, port optimization and efficiency, or championing the port region.

To tap into new resources. Winning business strategies are developed from quality information, and that’s what the Port Bureau delivers to its members through weekly and quarterly publications as well as special industry bulletins – especially during heavy weather events. Members also put Port Bureau resources to work in their business through premium services, such as real-time vessel movement tracking with PilotTracker, custom research, data analysis, and grant-writing assistance.

Member Publications

Weekly Status Report – Delivered every Wednesday morning, this up-to-the-minute report includes vessel arrival statistics, updates from state and federal agencies, member news, and more.
Quarterly Port Bureau News magazine – Captain’s Corner commentary, Port Watch vessel movement analysis, feature articles, and member news.
Monthly Vessel Arrival Statistical Report – Summarizes movements for all Texas deepdraft ports, including Houston, Galveston, Freeport, Sabine, Corpus Christi, Matagorda, and Brownsville.

“In business of over 130 years, Mitsui O.S.K. Lines (MOL) is a global shipping company involved in every type of maritime transportation. The importance of Houston to the nation makes being a member of the Greater Houston Port Bureau valuable. An important benefit is networking at events and making contacts with Port Bureau member companies, such as the oil companies. The value of this cannot be overstated as you may create a new business relationship or make a contact to solve a future problem. Another asset is the speakers at the Commerce Club events, such as leaders from the U.S. Coast Guard, the monthly magazine and reports that provide invaluable port information.”

Captain Thomas W. Hudson, MNI

Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, Ltd.

3-Tiered membership structure. Each budget-friendly level of Port Bureau membership offers unique participation opportunities. Choose the level of involvement best suited to your goals.

Get Involved

The Port Bureau’s long-term success depends on our commitment to working together with our members to benefit their business and the Houston port region community. With our member’s expertise and commitment, the Port Bureau provides working committees that allow us to impact local/state/national trends and decisions, expand professional relationships and plan for the future.

Port Bureau Committees

Port Improvement Committees

These committees are open to Corporate Members and Executive Partners.

Advocacy Committee

The Port Bureau’s Advocacy Committee undertakes media campaigns/media relations, public speaking, research, and publishing to support regional port issues to influence decisions within the public, local/state/national government, local/trade media, and international markets. Currently the Advocacy Committee is supporting outreach efforts along with Port Houston and other Houston organizations for Project 11 – an initiative to expedite the deepening and widening of the Houston Ship Channel.

To participate or for more information about the Advocacy Committee, contact Andrea LaVorgna at (713) 678-4300 or email her at alavorgna@txgulf.org.

Dredging Committee

Maintenance of the Houston Ship Channel and dock facilities are critical to sustaining economic prosperity of Houston’s port system. The Dredging Committee focuses on important issues such as maintaining two-way traffic on the Houston Ship Channel and ensuring companies have reliable, predictable access to dredge material placement areas.

To get more involved with these significant challenges, contact Christine Schlenker at (713) 678-4300 or email at cschlenker@txgulf.org.

Efficiency Committee

Comprised of leaders from our Executive Partner and Corporate Membership companies, the Efficiency Committee explores methodologies to maximize the efficiency of vessels transiting the Houston Ship Channel.

The Efficiency Committee recently completed a pilot of PortXchange Synchonrizer, an application currently in use at the Port of Rotterdam that shipping companies, agents, terminals and other service providers can use to optimally plan, execute and monitor all activities during a port call based on standardized data exchange, with participants on the Houston Ship Channel.

To participate or for more information about the Efficiency Committee, contact Christine Schlenker at (713) 678-4300 or email her at cschlenker@txgulf.org.

Member Engagement Committees

These committees are open to all Port Bureau members.

Dinner Committee

Each year the Greater Houston Port Bureau hosts an Annual Maritime Dinner honoring an industry leader or company for their contributions in the port community. The Dinner Committee helps plan and host this exciting evening of recognition and fellowship that attracts over 700 attendees.

To be a part of this group, contact Tanya Scott at (713) 678-4300 or email dinner@txgulf.org.

Golf Committee

The Captain's Cup tournament is an annual golf event that includes a fun day of sport, networking, prizes, and dinner at a major Country Club. The Golf Committee plans and helps host this sold-out event each fall. If you love to golf, this is the team for you.

Contact Tanya Scott at (713) 678-4300 or email golf@txgulf.org for more information.

Membership Committee

The Port Bureau’s Membership Committee focuses on growing our organization through recruitment and helping us implement strategic growth plans. A key goal of the committee is to grow membership to enhance representation of the maritime industry in the port of Houston region.

For more information or to participate, contact Tanya Scott at (713) 678-4300 or email tscott@txgulf.org.