The Port of Corpus Christi has completed a $625 million, six-year effort to deepen and widen a key 11.9-mile segment of its ship channel, expanding capacity for large crude oil and liquefied natural gas (LNG) vessels and reinforcing the port’s position as the largest crude export gateway in the United States.
The channel expansion project deepened the waterway from 47 feet to 54 feet and widened it from 400 to 530 feet, allowing safe two-way passage for larger vessels, including Very Large Crude Carriers (VLCCs) and Suezmax tankers. Port officials estimate the improvements will reduce shipping costs by up to $200 million annually by eliminating the need for offshore topping-off transfers.
Construction on the four-phase Channel Improvement Project began in 2019 after decades of planning. The federal government contributed over $296.3 million, while the Port of Corpus Christi invested more than $161.5 million. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers oversaw major construction activities in coordination with private marine contractors.
The project is expected to strengthen U.S. energy security and global trade competitiveness while supporting over 95,000 jobs statewide.It directly supports the port’s role in moving over 2.4 million barrels of crude oil per day, along with substantial LNG volumes. The port is also the second-largest LNG export hub in the country.
Located near the Permian Basin and Eagle Ford Shale, the port has attracted more than $65 billion in private energy investments in the past decade. Ongoing pipeline and terminal developments, including Enbridge’s Ingleside Energy Center and Cheniere’s expanding LNG export terminal, continue to build on the port’s connectivity and capacity.