The pandemic shook the global economy and yet the United States maintained its 
trading prowess, according to the United Nations Conference on Trade and 
Development on Ocean Trade. 

In the United States, the State of Texas leads in international trade with its 
29 ports of entry, the most of any state. The region of Rio South Texas, 
located at the Gulf of Mexico and the Heart of the North American Supply Chain, 
strongly contributes to the nation's and the state's global trade success. In 
Rio South Texas, the Port of Brownsville serves as our region's key waterborne 
connection to markets in North America and the world, via barge service on the 
U.S. Intracoastal and Inland Waterway System as well as ship service on the 
high seas via the M-10 and M-69 Maritime Highways. Furthermore, the Port boasts 
established trade routes across the Atlantic as well as the Pacific (via the 
Panama Canal). These routes serve manufacturing industries in Rio South Texas 
and beyond.

The Port of Brownsville is also a true multi-modal hub, providing interstate 
access, freight rail services, pipeline infrastructure, and proximity to air 
cargo providers. To further facilitate international trade, the Port of 
Brownsville operates Foreign Trade Zone No. 62 (FTZ 62), with sites at the 
Port, two airports (BRO and VIA), as well as to three surrounding industrial 
parks. FTZ 62 is ranked #2 in the U.S. for the value of exports at $3.6 billion 
per year across a variety of products.

Products like petroleum, lumber, steel, and metals rank among the Port's top 
commodities and, thanks to its global connections, millions of tons of products 
are moved efficiently to and from Brownsville.  And these volumes are expected 
to grow in the future! The Port of Brownsville's main channel depth is 
currently 42 feet (12.8 meters), but recently a project has been launched to 
deepen to 52 feet (15.8 meters). This will make the Port of Brownsville one of 
the deepest on the Gulf of Mexico. 

Exporting and importing from and to Rio South Texas is no problem via the 
globally connected Port of Brownsville. If you are looking to manufacture in 
North America for North America, look at what Rio South Texas has to offer. Our 
team at COSTEP would be glad to assist you, so please visit us at 
www.costep.org or follow us at @COSTEP to learn more.

Contact: Matt Ruszczak, +1.956.682.6371, info@costep.org


SOURCE  Council for South Texas Economic Progress