Houston - Daily Port Update
Current Status: Closed
WINTER SEASON AND IMPACT OF FRONTS ON WATER LEVELS
Terminal Operators should also consider the impacts of possible protracted fog closures in the months ahead.
USCG HOUSTON COC INSPECTIONS
USCG Sector Houston will no longer accept COC exam requests seeking a date more than 10 calendar days in advance. Additionally, SHG will normally not accept new requests made less than 24 hours advance.
OFF-SIGNERS:
CBP Houston does not permit off-signers to stay in hotel to await their flights home. They must go direct for vessel to IAH for their flights.
Valid C1-D USA visa is required for all off-signers by CBP Houston, on very rare occasions will exception be made by CBP Houston.
Current Status: Closed
Due to a recent vessel grounding, Texas City Pilots have reduced the maximum draft to 43 feet fresh water.
Galveston pilots:
Galveston pilot restrictions:
Vessels must commence at least (2) hours before sunset, and not before sunrise.
Galveston Bar to ports of Galveston County:
Vessels over 120,000 DWT
(Daylight hours only) for arrivals and sailings, but may be shifted or turned at night within Galveston or Texas City
May sail from Bolivar Roads at night
A second pilot is required
Vessels with draft over 40 feet
Daylight hours only
Vessels with LOA of 860 feet or more a second pilot is required
Galveston Bar to Bolivar Roads:
LNG tankers shall be daylight only coming into Bolivar Roads.
They may sail from Bolivar Roads at night.
Galveston Bar to Port of Texas City:
The maximum length limit of any vessel handled in the Texas City main basin shall be 1,000 feet.
Ships, seagoing barges, and other large vessels are restricted from passing each other in the Texas City Channel or the Carbide Canal.
Vessel coming out of Houston has priority over vessel leaving Texas City at the same time.
2023 Port Galveston Closures:
Please note that closure updates are prone to change, and will be updated upon notification of closures.
For Historical Port closure information please contact local Moran agent. Please see contact info above.