Vol. 10, No. 1 June 2025

Anchoring the Regional Economy with Billions in Private Investments

Brownsville Navigation District Chairman Esteban Guerra delivers the 2025 State of the Port Address on May 29, at the Brownsville Events Center in Brownsville, Texas, highlighting the port’s economic impact on the region and major private investments underway.

Brownsville Navigation District (BND) Chairman Esteban Guerra announced a record-breaking year for the Port of Brownsville, reporting more than 28 million tons of cargo handled in 2024, the highest volume in the port’s history. The milestone was shared during the 2025 State of the Port Address May 29, at the Brownsville Events Center, in Brownsville, Texas.

U.S. Senators John Cornyn and Ted Cruz, along with U.S. Rep. Vicente Gonzalez, TX-34, extended their congratulations to the Port of Brownsville in recognition of its achievements during the 2025 State of the Port Address. Ana Garcia, South Texas regional director for Sen. Cornyn, presented an official letter on his behalf to Chairman Esteban Guerra and Port Director and CEO William Dietrich. Video messages were also shared by Sen. Cruz and Rep. Gonzalez.

"On behalf of the Port of Brownsville and my fellow members of the Brownsville Navigation District, I am proud to share the tremendous progress at the port made possible by the continued support of our community," said BND Chairman Esteban Guerra. "We are working strategically to expand the port’s capabilities and drive economic growth across the region. While the results are impressive, this is only the beginning."

Success at the Port of Brownsville means success for Texans. Jobs at the port support families, build communities and fuel opportunities. Brownsville Navigation District Chairman Esteban Guerra shares how the Port of Brownsville is making an impact on the regional economy.

The Port of Brownsville's logistics keep the Rio Grande Valley's economy on track.

Brownsville Navigation District Vice Chairman Sergio Tito Lopez shares how our strong partnerships power supply chains across North America.

When it comes to commerce, we understand location is everything, that's why the Port of Brownsville's new118-acre business park is built for businesses to thrive.

Learn how the Port of Brownsville is leading economic development in the region with Brownsville Navigation District Secretary John Reed.

The Port of Brownsville's channel deepening project is transformative for the Rio Grande Valley.

Learn how infrastructure investments in our maritime port lead to big returns for our communities with Brownsville Navigation District Commissioner John Wood.

From Forza Steel’s nearshoring strategy to Texan Cement’s expanding facilities, the Port of Brownsville is a magnet for diverse industries.

Hear from Brownsville Navigation District Commissioner Ernesto Gutierrez as he shares how the port is shaping the next chapter of growth for South Texas.

At the Port of Brownsville, we believe people are the heart of progress.

Learn how the port is preparing the local workforce to lead the future of maritime commerce with Port Director and CEO William Dietrich.

Port of Brownsville scholarship recipients were invited to a tour of the port and luncheon held June 7.

Port Honors High School Graduates

The Brownsville Navigation District (BND) has awarded 34 graduating high school seniors the 2025 Port of Brownsville Scholarship, recognizing academic excellence, community service, and leadership.

Each recipient will receive a $1,000 scholarship upon enrollment at a college, university, or technical school. Students were selected based on their academic achievements, extracurricular involvement, community engagement, work experience, and a personal essay submitted as part of the application process. Recipients represent 17 public and private high schools within the navigation district.

“Congratulations to the graduating class of 2025, on behalf of the Brownsville Navigation District, we are proud of you,” said BND Chairman Esteban Guerra. “At the port, we believe in the power of education and it is our privilege to help these students reach their academic potential for a brighter future.”

Rising to No. 41 in U.S. Port Rankings

The Port of Brownsville on May 16, its 89th anniversary, announced its vault to 41st position in the ranking of 150 U.S. maritime ports for waterborne cargo tonnage.

According to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ most recent annual report, in 2023, the port’s waterways handled more than 11.2 million tons of cargo, a 23 percent increase from 2022’s 9.1 million tons, launching the port from 50th position to 41st in the nation. This latest ranking signifies the port’s highest placement to date.

"This is a significant achievement for the port and our entire community. It is a tribute to the hard work and dedication of our staff, our stakeholders, and my fellow board members," said Brownsville Navigation District Chairman Esteban Guerra. "We’ve made great strides and there’s more to come in advancing our region’s economic vitality."

A forty-six percent increase in vessel traffic at the port recorded 2,561 vessel calls in 2023, up from 1,754 the previous year. Major commodities driving growth at the port include steel, liquid bulk products, aggregates, and project cargo.

Port of Brownsville Celebrates Milestones

Editor’s Note: This article is originally featured at myrgv.com

The Port of Brownsville had a record-breaking 2024 in terms of the amount of cargo moved, according to Brownsville Navigation District Board of Commissioners Chairman Esteban Guerra, speaking at the recent “State of the Port” event at the Brownsville Event Center.

He announced that the Port of Brownsville handled more than 28 million tons of cargo for that year, the highest per-year volume in the port’s history.

This was among several highlights of Guerra’s presentation, which also spotlighted an economic impact study by Martin & Associates showing that the port generated $12 billion in total economic activity in 2023 — a 400% increase since 2018 — and supported more than 66,000 jobs statewide, including more than 10,000 in the Rio Grande Valley.