Port of Brownsville climbs to No. 41 in U.S. cargo rankings, its highest ever

The Port of Brownsville has reached its highest national cargo ranking on record, underscoring its growing role in international trade and the Gulf Coast energy sector.

According to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the port ranked No. 41 among the nation’s 150 maritime ports for waterborne cargo in 2023, climbing 14 spots from No. 55 the year before. It marked the port’s strongest showing to date.

The Brownsville seaport moved 11.2 million tons of cargo in 2023, compared with 9.1 million tons in 2022 — a nearly 23% year-over-year jump.

The port is the only deepwater seaport on the U.S.–Mexico border, giving it a critical position in binational trade. 

Port officials note that more than $20 billion in industrial and infrastructure projects are currently in the pipeline, including major energy and logistics investments.

The growth comes as the port is increasingly tied to large-scale energy activity. 

The Rio Grande Valley Business Journal recently reported on the $50.6 million sale of one of the Gulf’s largest shipyards to a Houston energy company. The move strengthens the port’s alignment with offshore and LNG markets. However, workforce shifts are underway, with Seatrium AmFELS announcing layoffs at its Brownsville shipyard as part of its broader restructuring.

Together, these developments show how the Port of Brownsville is positioning itself as a hub for the Gulf Coast’s energy future, even as it continues to expand its role in steel, petroleum, and project cargo trade.

For the Rio Grande Valley, the higher ranking highlights the port’s influence as an economic driver. Rising cargo volumes support new business development and industrial growth, while also creating opportunities for job expansion across the region.