2015 Record Year for Port of Brownsville

The Port of Brownsville moved 3.5 million tons of steel in 2015.

When it comes to cargo movement, the Port of Brownsville’s preliminary numbers from fiscal year 2015 show it achieved another record-breaking year, handling more than 10.1 million tons of cargo, exceeding the 2014 record of 8.4 million tons.

The port’s activity adds $926.7 million to the regional economy and more than $2 billion to the state’s economy.

“This is a critically important milestone in the port’s growth,” said Brownsville Navigation District Chairman Ralph Cowen. “Not only does this performance recognize the strength of our customer base and the companies doing business here, but provides the port with an opportunity to continue its mission of creating jobs and a stronger tax base.”

Commodities moved at the port internationally included steel, aluminum, lumber, minerals, gasoline, diesel and windmill components.

More than $134 million in state and local sales tax are also generated through port business. In 2012, Martin & Associates reported the port has created 11,230 direct and indirect jobs at the regional level and 21,590 jobs statewide.