Guerra: The Port of Brownsville is a maritime port unlike any other

Good morning everyone. It’s my honor to be here today among visionary leaders who understand the vital role of trade, infrastructure, foreign direct investment, and what foreign direct investment plays in shaping the future of our region, of our state, and ultimately, of our nation. 

As chairman of the Brownsville Navigation District, I’m excited to share the developments that are happening at your port. The Port of Brownsville is a maritime port unlike any other. I like to refer to it as the port of both the Rio Grande Valley and of Northern Mexico. 

For 89 years, we have proudly served as a regional hub for the RioPlex, generating jobs, working alongside our partners to expand opportunities and provide good paying jobs for families on both sides of the border. This legacy of service is reaffirmed in our daily operations as we provide quality and reliable business solutions. The ultimate goal being to keep both the Rio Grande Valley and the Lone Star State moving forward.

In 2023 alone, the port’s economic impact study for the state of Texas reached a record breaking $12 billion, a 400% increase from 2019. This is a direct reflection of our growing capacity, our strategic importance, and our commitment to driving sustainable growth with future generations in mind. As the largest land owning public port authority in the United States, with over 40,000 acres, we are supporting economic growth for the benefit of our communities. 

The Port Brownsville’s strategic location as the only deep water seaport located directly on the US-Mexico border, provides seamless multimodal connectivity by truck, rail, pipeline and sea. Our logistical advantage allows the port to serve diverse industries, from ship building to ship recycling, space exploration, steel, wind energy, agriculture and much more. 

The board is emerging as a player in the global energy sector with NextDecade’s $21.4 billion Rio Grande LNG project, the largest privately funded infrastructure endeavor in Texas currently under construction. 

In an increase in increasingly competitive landscape, the Port of Brownsville continues to hold its own, attracting foreign direct investments and nearshoring opportunities. Also in the works is our channel improvement project to deepen our 17-mile ship channel from 42 to 52 feet, enhancing navigational safety and allowing larger commercial vessels to reach South Texas. 

Our infrastructure is the springboard for our workforce to achieve its maximum potential. While drawing industrial development, we are simultaneously equally invested in our human capital. 

Success is driven by vision, and our vision is clear: to be a catalyst for progress. We are investing in the infrastructure and forging strong public and private partnerships along the way. We are committed to rebuilding and building a modern, resilient port that fuels innovation and creates opportunities across ports. We truly believe that when the Port of Brownsville succeeds, the entire Rio Grande Valley succeeds. 

This summit is an important moment in time to connect, to collaborate and to champion the future of our region. We’re proud to be a part of that future, and we invite all of you in joining us in cultivating a prosperous region where business, quality of life and possibilities thrive. Thank you very much.

Editor’s Note: The above commentary was delivered by Esteban Guerra, chairman of the Brownsville Navigation District, at RioPlex’s “Texas Port to the Stars Foreign Direct Investment Summit,” held at the Westin Galleria in Houston on April 10, 2025.

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