Greater Houston Port Bureau

What Greater Houston Port Bureau does

Greater Houston Port Bureau is a 501(c)(6) non-profit trade organization founded in 1929 and headquartered in Deer Park, Texas. Operating as the Marine Exchange of Texas, it provides vessel movement information, port information, advocacy, and networking services to over 240 member companies across the Houston Ship Channel and Texas deepdraft ports (Houston, Galveston, Freeport, Texas City, Sabine, Point Comfort/Port Lavaca, Corpus Christi, and Brownsville). Its core data products include daily Marine Exchange Reports of vessel arrivals and departures, twice-weekly ETA reports, the PortXchange PilotTracker real-time scheduling platform, and historical custom data extracts spanning more than a decade of Texas port activity.

The organization's core technology centers on aggregating and distributing vessel movement data across all Texas deepdraft ports, with PortXchange PilotTracker representing its most modern digital offering for real-time pilot scheduling. Complementary products include the quarterly Port Bureau News magazine, customized research services, and event programming (Commerce Club Luncheons, Annual Maritime Dinner attracting 750+ attendees, and seminars). The Annual Maritime Dinner is described as the largest maritime formal business event in the U.S.

Revenue is generated through multiple streams: recurring membership dues across three tiers (with a concentrated Sustaining Partner tier featuring enterprise maritime firms), subscription-based Marine Exchange reports and PilotTracker access, transaction-based custom data extracts, magazine advertising, and event sponsorships and ticket sales. The Bureau also operates a scholarship program and runs high-profile advocacy initiatives such as Project 11 for Houston Ship Channel expansion. It is governed by an executive-level Board of Directors drawn from leading member companies and led by President CAPT Eric Carrero, USCG (Ret.), appointed July 2023.

Name

Greater Houston Port Bureau

Legal name

Greater Houston Port Bureau

Website

https://txgulf.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1929

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

The Greater Houston Port Bureau is a non-profit trade organization founded in 1929 that operates as the Marine Exchange of Texas, providing vessel movement data, port information, advocacy, and networking services to 240+ member companies across Texas deepdraft ports.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Maritime Trade Association Services

NAICS

Port and Harbor Operations (48831), Support Activities for Water Transportation (4883)

SIC

Water Transportation (4400), Arrangement Of Transportation Of Freight & Cargo (4731)

akta.pro primary industry

Port Operations Control Center / Port Call Orchestration (TLAHAFAI)

akta.pro secondary industries

Port Call Operations & Berth/Service Scheduling Liaison (Terminal, Pilots, Tugs) (TLAHAJAK), Marine Service Provider Coordination (Diving, Inspection, Class/Survey Support) (TLAHAJAI)

Keywords

• Maritime trade association
• Vessel movement data
• Port information services
• Marine exchange reports
• Maritime industry advocacy

Headquarters

HQ city

Deer Park

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Membership Dues: The Port Bureau is a member-driven organization with over 240 member companies. Three membership levels are available for companies involved in the maritime industry.
2. Marine Exchange Reports Subscription: Subscription-based daily reports, ETA reports, and PilotTracker services for vessel movement information.
3. Custom Data Extracts: Sale of historical vessel movement data for research, cost justifications, and planning purposes.
4. Magazine Advertising: Advertising revenue from the Port Bureau News magazine.
5. Event Sponsorships and Tickets: Revenue from Annual Maritime Dinner table sponsorships, event underwriters, and ticket sales, as well as silent auction sponsorships at various levels (Platinum, Gold, Floral).

Pricing tiers

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

The Greater Houston Port Bureau operates as the Marine Exchange of Texas, providing vessel movement information, port data, and ETA reports for Texas deepdraft ports. It also offers membership services, networking events, advocacy, and a quarterly Port Bureau News magazine to maritime industry participants.

Product overview

The Greater Houston Port Bureau operates as the Marine Exchange of Texas, providing a unified platform of maritime information products and member services. Its core data products include Marine Exchange Reports (daily vessel arrival/departure reports), ETA Reports (twice-weekly scheduled arrivals), Custom Data Extracts (historical vessel movement data), and PortXchange PilotTracker (real-time pilot scheduling). The Port Bureau News magazine provides industry intelligence, while membership services offer directory access and member-only pricing. Events include Commerce Club Luncheons, Annual Maritime Dinner, and Seminars. Customized Research supports port-related business planning.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Marine Exchange Reports Daily movement reports of vessel arrivals and departures for Texas ports, including Houston-specific reports and coverage of Galveston, Freeport, Texas City, Sabine, Point Comfort/Port Lavaca, Corpus Christi, and Brownsville. Targeted at maritime industry companies needing real-time port information.
• ETA Reports Twice-weekly Houston and Texas Ports ETA reports showing scheduled vessel arrivals up to two weeks in advance.
• Custom Data Extracts Historical vessel movement data for all deepdraft ports of Texas, available for research, cost justifications, and planning purposes.
• PortXchange PilotTracker Next-generation platform for real-time pilot scheduling and vessel movement information.
• Port Bureau News Magazine Quarterly magazine publication covering port industry news, Port Watch statistics, member updates, and maritime industry articles, supported by advertising revenue.
• Membership Services Membership program with three levels for maritime industry companies, providing access to the Members-only Directory, members-only event pricing, seminars, reports, committee involvement, and invoice management.
• Commerce Club Luncheons Educational luncheon series featuring industry speakers and networking opportunities for maritime professionals.
• Annual Maritime Dinner Premier annual formal business event in the U.S. maritime industry, attracting over 750 attendees for networking, industry recognition, and fundraising for regional maritime advocacy.
• Seminars Educational seminar programs for maritime industry professionals.
• Customized Research Customized research services for companies doing business along the Houston Ship Channel, leveraging the Port Bureau's vessel movement data repository.

Quantifiable outcome

• More than 3 million jobs supported nationwide through Houston Ship Channel operations
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers10 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

26 partnerships are on record, tiered core and sustaining partner.

• Port Houston AuthoritycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Port Bureau works closely with Port Houston Authority on key initiatives including Houston Ship Channel Expansion (Project 11). Port Houston is the largest port in the Gulf of Mexico, handling more than 200 million tons of cargo annually.
• Port of Houston AuthoritycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerA unique partnership involving the Port of Houston Authority and members of the Greater Houston Port Bureau seeks to expedite the expansion of the Houston Ship Channel (Project 11).
• Houston Ship Channel Expansion (Project 11) PartnerscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration of public and private entities seeking to expedite the 11th major expansion of the Houston Ship Channel. The expansion widens the channel from 530 feet to 700 feet using a local funding plan that is the first of its kind.
• MOL (Americas) LLCsustaining partnerOthersLarge global shipping company providing dry bulkers, crude oil tankers, product and chemical tankers, LNG carriers, and car carriers. Member of Greater Houston Port Bureau as Sustaining Partner.
• Amegy Banksustaining partnerOthersTexas-based bank with 80+ locations offering vessel financing, letters of credit, trade finance, and treasury management services for maritime industry. Sustaining Partner of the Port Bureau.
• Houston Pilotssustaining partnerOthersProvides pilotage for entire length of Houston Ship Channel, operating 24/7 with fleet of 4 pilot vessels. Has guided ships in Port of Houston for 100 years.
• ExxonMobil Baytown Refinerysustaining partnerOthersLargest publicly traded international oil and gas company with Baytown Refinery along Houston Ship Channel. Refinery processes crude oil and produces gasoline, aviation fuels, diesel fuels, and more.
• BWC Terminalssustaining partnerOthersPremier provider of bulk liquid storage and logistics services headquartered in Houston with 22 sites and over 21 million barrels of storage capacity.
• Enterprise Products Partners L.P.sustaining partnerOthersLeading North American provider of midstream energy services with approximately 50,000 miles of pipelines and 260 million barrels of storage capacity.
• Cooper/Ports America, LLCsustaining partnerOthersProvides stevedoring and terminal services for break bulk and containerized cargo in Port of Houston and surrounding Gulf Coast ports.
• Intercontinental Terminals Company LLCsustaining partnerOthersTerminal company with ITC Deer Park (11.8 million barrels capacity, 5 ship docks, 10 barge docks) and ITC Pasadena (6.8 million barrels capacity, 3 ship docks, 3 barge docks).
• Lloyd Engineering, Inc.sustaining partnerOthersTexas-based engineering firm specializing in port and harbor facilities, industrial, structural, and civil engineering projects with services throughout U.S. Gulf Coast.
• Vopaksustaining partnerOthersWorld's leading independent tank storage company headquartered in Rotterdam with Gulf Coast terminal capacity totaling 8 million barrels.
• Manchester Terminal, LLCsustaining partnerOthersBreakbulk marine terminal covering approximately 75 acres with over 250,000 square feet of interior space, located at intersection of Houston Ship Channel and Sims Bayou.
• Kirby Corporationsustaining partnerOthersLargest inland and coastal tank barge operator in the United States, also providing vessel construction and repair services through San Jac Marine shipyard.
• Shell Trading (US) Companysustaining partnerOthersGlobal energy and petrochemical company operating in all 50 U.S. states, providing shipping/maritime, crude oil trading, natural gas trading, and environmental products trading.
• Targa Resourcessustaining partnerOthersLeading provider of midstream services and one of the largest independent midstream infrastructure companies in North America, providing gas gathering, fractionation, storage, and terminal services.
• PEMEX Deer Parksustaining partnerOthersRefinery located 20 miles east of downtown Houston along Houston Ship Channel with crude processing capacity of 340 thousand barrels per day.
• Kinder Morgan Terminalssustaining partnerOthersOne of the largest energy infrastructure companies in North America with more than 144 terminals storing petroleum products, chemicals, and handling bulk materials.
• TGS Cedar Port Industrial Parksustaining partnerOthersLargest master-planned rail-and-barge-served Industrial Park in the U.S. with more than 25 million square feet of industrial warehouses.
• Bay-Houston Towing Co.sustaining partnerOthersTug services company assisting ships along Texas Gulf Coast since late 1800s with fleet of 50 tugs including low-emission Tier 4 EPA Certified engines.
• Port of Texas Citysustaining partnerOthers15th largest port in the United States and 4th largest in Texas with waterborne tonnage exceeding 40 million net tons annually.
• Watcosustaining partnerOthersOne of the largest private industrial parks on Gulf Coast providing 7 deep water berths, 9 barge docks along Houston Ship Channel, and full scope terminal operations.
• Great Lakes Dredge & Dock Company, LLCsustaining partnerOthersLargest dredging company in the U.S. and only company with continuous international operations. 131-year-old publicly traded company with corporate HQ in Houston.
• Callan Marine, LTDsustaining partnerOthersTexas-based, family-owned dredging business founded in 2009 providing dredging and marine construction services with management team of nationally recognized experts.
• Vitolsustaining partnerOthersEnergy and commodities company founded in Rotterdam in 1966 trading over seven million barrels of crude oil and products daily with 40 offices worldwide.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Emerging players

• Spire Maritime: AIS data provider offering real-time and historical vessel tracking, port-call and maritime analytics via API and SaaS. Competes with GHPB's custom data extracts and PilotTracker in the programmatic maritime data layer.
• MarineTraffic: Global digital AIS-based vessel tracking platform offering real-time and historical vessel movement data via web, API and mobile. Direct competitor to GHPB's Marine Exchange Reports in the vessel data product layer, but with much broader geographic coverage and programmatic access.

Regional players

• West Gulf Maritime Association: Houston-based maritime association representing employer interests in labor relations for the Gulf Coast. Overlaps with GHPB in Houston Ship Channel geography and membership universe but is functionally distinct as a labor-employer bargaining body.

Direct peers

• Maritime Exchange of South Carolina: Regional maritime exchange serving the Port of Charleston and other South Carolina deepdraft ports. Offers vessel information reporting and member services structurally identical to GHPB's Marine Exchange of Texas offering.
• Pacific Maritime Association: West Coast port labor-management association covering major California, Oregon and Washington ports. Comparable maritime industry convening function and member base, though focused on labor rather than vessel information services.
• Greater New Orleans Port Council: Gulf Coast port-focused convener covering the Port of New Orleans and Mississippi River complex. Performs analogous maritime stakeholder representation and information services for a competing Gulf port region.
• Maritime Association of the Port of New York & New Jersey: Long-running port bureau/maritime exchange serving the Port of New York & New Jersey with comparable functions in vessel information, advocacy and industry convening. Operates a parallel Marine Exchange-style model for the largest US East Coast port complex.
• Hampton Roads Maritime Exchange: Maritime exchange covering the Port of Hampton Roads (Virginia), providing vessel movement reporting, scheduling coordination and advocacy. Closely comparable role, scope and member base to GHPB on the US East Coast.
• Lake Carriers' Association: US-flag Great Lakes maritime trade association providing vessel movement coordination, advocacy and industry data for the Great Lakes fleet. Comparable trade-organization mission and information-product orientation, though geographically distinct.

Others

• BIMCO: World's largest international shipping association, providing industry data, advocacy and standardization services globally. Comparable industry-association mission to GHPB, though at significantly broader geographic scale and with deeper regulatory footprint.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/PortBureau
• Facebookfacebook.com/portbureau
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/portbureau

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Greater Houston Port Bureau