Westa Inc. Advances Development at the Business Park

Food manufacturer Westa Inc., the first tenant of the Port of Brownsville’s 118-acre business park, is finalizing the layout for its $20 million facilities at the port.

Taking advantage of the port’s maritime access, Westa Inc. will receive grains via barge from the Midwest, enhancing the company’s supply chain operations for its high-capacity flour mill and sunflower seed processing plant set to employ 120 people.

Last April, the company celebrated a ceremonial groundbreaking at its more than 10-acre site signaling the park’s optimal business advantage.

Currently in the final phase of construction, the Business Park is designed to support industrial growth for existing businesses at the port while attracting new opportunities. With direct connections to key transportation networks and internation

Due to severe rainfall that affected our area between March 27-29, 2025, the Northside and Turning Basin wastewater treatment plants located at the Port of Brownsville were unable to properly treat the domestic wastewater they received from the collection system.

During this 72-hour period, approximately 709,008 gallons of partially treated wastewater were discharged into the Brownsville Ship Channel. This volume exceeded the permitted amount for the treatment facilities affected during the weather event.

The Port of Brownsville initiated cleaning efforts in the affected area and is working closely with the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) to monitor the water quality in the channel. Both treatment plants are now operating normally.

We advise the public to avoid contact with water from the ship channel at the Turning Basin and near Seatrium AmFELS due to the pote

OmniTRAX, the rail and real estate affiliate of The Broe Group, commemorated the 40th anniversary of its Texas rail affiliate, Brownsville and Rio Grande International Railway (BRG), at a ceremony of economic and community partners in Brownsville, Texas. Dignitaries from the Port of Brownsville, state and local economic partners, community leaders, and rail customers joined a leadership delegation from OmniTRAX and BRG to recognize the railroad’s pivotal role in keeping North American supply chains moving safely and smoothly. A $12 billion North American commerce engine, the Port of Brownsville handled nearly 18 million tons of cargo over the past year.

“For four decades, The Brownsville & Rio Grande International Railway has kept America’s supply chains moving with vital rail service that connects the Port of Brownsville to the North American freight network,” said 

The decommissioned USS John F. Kennedy (CV-67) entered the Brownsville Ship Channel on Sunday, Feb.2, closing a chapter of naval service and beginning a new one at International Shipbreaking Ltd./EMR.

BROWNSVILLE, Texas, February 10, 2025 – – Clear skies and fair weather welcomed spectators gathered along the shores of South Padre Island’s Isla Blanca Park on Feb. 2, to bid farewell to the storied USS John F. Kennedy (CV-67) as she entered the Brownsville ship channel for dismantling and recycling at International Shipbreaker Ltd.

Commissioned in 1968 and decommissioned in 2007, the JFK served t

Set to announce significant investment and job creation for the Rio Grande Valley

BROWNSVILLE, Texas, January 28, 2025 – The Port of Brownsville continues solidifying its reputation as a leader in international trade and logistics, proudly celebrating its longstanding partnership with Ternium, a leading steel producer in the Americas and long-term port customer.

On Monday, Jan. 27, Brownsville Navigation District Chairman Esteban Guerra presented Ternium with a plaque to commemorate the company’s commitment and contributions to the port. Ricardo Prosperi, Ternium’s Global Trade President, and Cesar Jimenez, president of Ternium de Mexico, received the distinction “Charting a Course to Success”.

“The Port of Brownsville proudly recognizes Ternium for its longstanding business relationship with the port, which s

The Port of Brownsville serves as a vital multimodal logistics hub for cross-border trade, leveraging its strategic location as the only deepwater seaport on the U.S./Mexico border. It is a prominent shipper of steel, refined petroleum products, grain, aggregates, among other products supporting diverse industries located in 12 Mexican states.

The proximity to key markets allows the port to efficiently deliver goods and commodities to multinational manufacturing centers on both sides of the border, solidifying its role as a critical transshipment gateway. This helps the port stand out as the ideal location for nearshoring ventures, enabling companies to bring their manufacturing and logistics operations and close gaps in the supply chain.

Unmatched logistics including direct connectivity to USMCA interstate corridors, its closeness to border crossings—seven miles by truck and 13

Texas Ports contribute more than $713.9 billion in economic activity for the State accounting for 28% of Texas’ gross domestic product (GDP), further advancing Ports as a catalyst for state economic growth and job generation, according to a recent economic impact study by the Texas Ports Association (TPA).

TPA’s most recent economic impact study was conducted by Martin & Associates, using data from fiscal year 2023. Since the association’s last report, also conducted by Martin & Associates in 2018, Texas Ports experienced statewide growth in tonnage, revenue generated and job growth.

Total tonnage handled by public and private marine terminals increased by 130.3 million tons. As a result of this growth, 2.5 million jobs are supported by the 2023 marine cargo activity within the state of Texas, an increase of 728,741 jobs since 2018. Total economic value of the Texas m

BROWNSVILLE, Texas – Monday, October 7, 2024 – The Port of Brownsville’s Brazos Island Harbor Channel Improvement (BIH) project made progress in September, securing a low interest $43 million loan from the Texas Department of Transportation (TXDOT) — a critical funding boost that brings the historic channel-deepening project closer to reality.

At the Texas Transportation Commission’s regular meeting, held Thursday, Sept. 26, the commission approved a $43 million Ship Channel Improvement Revolving Fund (SCIRF) loan to provide the Port of Brownsville revenue for its local share of qualified costs necessary to deepen the Brazos Island Harbor Channel. The commission approved $400 million in SCIRF loans for two projects near Beaumont and Brownsville. The funding is the result of a bill passed in the 88th Legislature and signed by Texas Governor Greg Abbott in 2023.

“On behal

Editor’s Note: This article is featured in the latest edition of the Port of Brownsville Directory. Click HERE to view directory or to request a copy.

The future of the Rio Grande Valley’s economy is anchored at the Port of Brownsville.  As the only deepwater seaport located on the U.S.-Mexico border, the port’s influence extends beyond Texas.

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Annual Report features the port’s ascension to 50th position among 150 U.S. maritime ports for waterborne cargo. In 2022, the port handled 9.1 million tons of cargo, up from 8.9 million tons in 2021, moving from 55th to 50th place.

The port’s comprehensive logistical network comprised of rail, trucking lines, vessel and barge services and pipeline connectivity are key to the suc

BY WILLIAM DIETRICH/Port Director and CEO of the Port of Brownsville

On August 6, 2024, the United States Court of Appeals made a pivotal decision to revisit the approval of the Rio Grande LNG project. While this decision has been met with mixed reactions, it’s crucial to recognize this project’s significant benefits to South Texas.

The Rio Grande LNG project, led by NextDecade, not only complies with all regulatory requirements but also represents a substantial investment in our local economy and infrastructure. This project is poised to provide much-needed economic growth, job creation, and community development in an area that has long been economically underprivileged.

Being good stewards of the environment is important, and the Rio Grande LNG project has made this a top priority. NextDecade has emphasized the importance of doing this project right and being environme