Houston

Size limits

Draught 13.72m, LOA 335.63m, Beam 51.2m, 208,000DWT.

Beam unrestricted at LBC Houston - Bayport Terminal Ship Dock's No. 1 and No. 2.

Water density

1000.

Load line zone

Summer.

Tides

Under ordinary conditions, mean tidal range is 0.2 to 0.4m in the lower and upper parts of Galveston Bay, and 0.15 to 0.3m in the San Jacinto River and Buffalo Bayou. Extreme ranges, under ordinary conditions, are approx 0.6m in the lower part of Galveston Bay, 0.4m in the upper part of the bay and 0.3m in the San Jacinto River and Buffalo Bayou.

Height of tides is dependent largely on the wind, and during strong N'ly winds in winter season, the water surface of Galveston Bay may be depressed 0.61m below mean low tide.

Deepest first. The draught is the largest any of the terminal's berths states; a dash means the source gives none.

Approach

Bayport Channel: It is reported (2015) that, following completion of dredging on the North side of the Channel in an area that has been shoaled in, Houston Pilots have advised the maximum draught for the Bayport Channel has returned to 12.1m (fresh water draught).

Anchorages

This anchorage area is for temporary use by vessels of all types, but especially for naval and merchant vessels awaiting favourable weather and transit conditions. Except when weather conditions make sailing hazardous, vessels are not permitted to anchor in this area for periods exceeding 48 hours, unless longer periods are expressly authorised by the COTP.

Restrictions

Notes: Max draught at Bolivar Roads (inner) anchorage 10.3m.

Max time allowed at anchorage as per USCG regulations, 48 hours. Max draught just before Sims Bayou to turning basin 11.2m, with N'ly winds draughts can be reduced by up to 0.6m.

Vertical Clearances: The channel is crossed by three fixed highway bridges. The lowest vertical clearance is 41.1m in position 29°43.5'N 095°16.0'W. 4 sets of power transmission lines also cross the channel; the lowest vertical clearance of these is 49.4m in position 29°43.6'N 095°01.7'W.

Tugs

There are 3 tug companies operating from Galveston Bar to the Turning Basin.

Charts and publications

BA 3188, 8077, 3850, 3849, 3186, 8079. Admiralty Pilot NP69A, NP286(5).

Documents

Please see country information for details of documentation requirements.

Health

No action initiated unless there is illness onboard.

Ship Sanitation Control Certificates: Please see country information.

Customs and immigration

Immigration: For crew not to be detained onboard vessel each crew member must have a valid US visa in their passport or Seaman's Book.

Notices and regulations

Safety warning signals, indicating the state of potentially dangerous oil loading operations, are displayed from a mast at the mouth of Boggy Bayou Basin (29°44.0'N 095°07.8'W). Speed must be reduced sufficiently to prevent damage when passing other vessels or structures in the channel.

Coastguard Vessel Inspection: Please see country information.

Port State Control here: US Coast Guard.

Foreign ships are examined by the US Coast Guard. File the Advance Notice of Arrival 96 hours ahead (33 CFR 160).

ISPS

ISPS Designated Authority: United States Coast Guard, Office of Compliance. Address: 2100 Second St, SW, Washington DC, 20593, USA. Tel: +1 202 267 2978. Fax: +1 202 267 4858. Email: [email protected]. For further ISPS information see IMO website http://www2.imo.org/ISPSCode.

Repairs

There are 12 companies operating waterfront facilities for the construction, repair and conversion of ocean going vessels, barges, offshore drilling platforms and tugs and other types of vessels.

Gas freeing and steam cleaning services for tank barges are also available at 5 of the plants.

Dry docks

The largest floating dock, situated at the mouth of Greens Bayou, length 149m, width 31m, depth 3.0m over the blocks, lifting capacity 9,000t.

Bunkers, water and stores

Fresh water: Available.

Bunkering: Available.

Stores: Available.

Medical

St Luke's Hospital in Pasadena, Texas.

Transport

Nearest airport: Hobby Airport, Houston (13km).

Airport facilities: The city of Houston operates two major airports, Houston Intercontinental airport in North Houston and Hobby Airport S of the downtown area.

Nearest railway: There are 4 railroads serving the port; main passenger service is in the city of Houston.

Working hours

Throughout 24 hours.

Where it is

The port of Houston is 326nm NE of Brownsville in the SE of Texas

The port

The port of Houston is a 40km long complex of diversified public and private facilities. The Port of Houston Authority (PHA) operates the public facilities located along the Houston Ship Channel, including Buffalo Bayou, Sims Bayou, Hunting Bayou, Greens Bayou, Boggy Bayou Basin, Goose Creek, Cedar Bayou, Barbours Cut and Bayport.

PHA's facilities include: The Turning Basin Terminal, a general cargo facility located about 11.2km from downtown Houston; the Barbours Cut Container Terminal, an intermodal facility; Jacintoport Terminal, Bulk Materials Handling Plant, Bayport Terminal, a bulk liquids complex, Woodhouse Terminal and Care Terminal (attached to Jacintoport). The port also operates and manages a foreign trade zone site.

Principal cargoes:

Import: Petroleum products, iron/steel, LPG, organic chemicals, and crude fertilisers.

Export: Cereals/grains, petroleum products, organic chemicals, polymer plastics and inorganic chemicals.

Traffic

Approx. 281,000,000t of cargo, 4,300,000TEU, 8,200 vessels and 26,300 passengers handled annually.

What are the pilot arrangements at Houston?

Compulsory and available 24 hours.

What time zone is Houston in?

Local time at Houston is UTC−6. Clocks go to UTC−5 on 14 Mar 2027. Back to UTC−6 on 7 Nov 2027.

What is the maximum draft at Houston?

The deepest berth listed is at Enterprise Hydrocarbons Terminal (EHT): 13.72 m maximum draught. The "Max draft per terminal" table gives each terminal's figure.

What is the water density at Houston?

1000.

Which load line zone is Houston in?

Summer.

Who carries out Port State Control at Houston?

Port State Control at Houston: US Coast Guard.

What is the UN/LOCODE of Houston?

The UN/LOCODE of Houston is USHOU.

What crews who called at Houston say: pilot boarding, the agent's papers, inspections, shore leave. Each tip is shown with the writer's rank and ship type, and an AI summary sits on top once there are three or more.

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