100 years ago today, the Houston Ship Channel officially opened. The Ship Channel is a part of the Port of Houston, one of America's busiest seaports. In fact, last year, according to the U.S. Census Bureau, the Port of Houston led the nation in the total tonnage it imported. The Port of Houston Authority claims it contributes to the creation of more than a million jobs in Texas, and generates nearly 180 billion dollars in economic activity across the state.
This all reinforces what the shipping industry means to Houston's economy, and the Ship Channel is at the heart of that effort. On this edition of Houston Matters, we'll discuss the state of the channel, its history and legacy, and its future, with Roger Guenther, the Executive Director of the Port of Houston Authority.