Wedoany.com Report-Jun 3, The Port of Corpus Christi in Texas has nearly completed its Channel Improvement Project (CIP), a significant upgrade to U.S. maritime infrastructure. The decades-long initiative deepens the ship channel to 54 feet (16.46 meters) mean lower low water (MLLW), enhancing the port’s role as a major energy export hub.

The CIP, one of the largest navigation projects in U.S. history, has been funded by Congress, the Port of Corpus Christi, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, and private marine companies. Initiated in 2017 with a $625 million investment, the project was designed to meet the growing demand for larger vessels transporting crude oil, liquefied natural gas (LNG), and other commodities. The channel, previously 47 feet deep and 400 feet wide, is now expanded to 54 feet deep and 530 feet wide, enabling safer two-way vessel traffic.

Located near the Permian Basin and Eagle Ford Shale, the Port of Corpus Christi is the leading U.S. crude oil export gateway, handling over 2.4 million barrels daily, and ranks as the world’s third-largest crude oil export port. It also serves as the second-largest U.S. LNG export terminal and a key hub for petrochemicals, refined products, and agricultural goods.

The CIP, conceived over 30 years ago, supports the port’s capacity to accommodate larger, more efficient vessels, ensuring continued growth in export capabilities while maintaining operational safety and efficiency.