According to the Texas Transportation Institute, Corpus Christi area is one of the least congested major metropolitan areas in the United States.

Port Corpus Christi lies along the Texas gulf coast, 150 miles north of Mexico. The warm, dry climate of South Texas and the Port’s modern, multipurpose infrastructure support year-round operations, making it an ideal location for improved cost-effectiveness and greater productivity. In addition to excellent highway access to all major markets on uncongested US Highway 181 and Interstate 37, the Port also offers dockside rail access by the Union Pacific Railroad, BNSF Railway and Kansas City Southern Railroad. Three shipside tracks facilitate direct transfers between vessels and railcars. Covered tracks at the Dock 9 warehouse accommodate weather-sensitive cargo.

In 2003, U.S. Customs and Border Protection notified Port Corpus Christi of its official certification as a member of the Customs-Trade Partnership Against Terrorism (C-TPAT) program. The C-TPAT program partners business and government to develop working relationships in order to protect global commerce against terrorism. The program provides the framework for trading communities to develop security policies and procedures. Once established, importers are given preferential processing by Customs. The C-TPAT program recognizes the added security that such practices bring to the final leg of the internal supply chain, and does consider the use of a FTZ to be a “C-TPAT Supply Chain Security Best Practice.”

View C-TPAT website

In 1990, the U.S. Congress authorized the Corps of Engineers to begin investigating the possibility of deepening the Corpus Christi Ship Channel from 45 feet to 52 feet in order to accommodate larger vessels, increase shipping efficiency, and enhance navigation safety. Also the Port has activated the ship channel for use of the Port’s refinery subzones for overflow storage using barges or vessels. Each refinery has been designated a zone operator as well as a subzone operator.

The Port’s Foreign-Trade Zone Manager in conjunction with Customs Port Director hold monthly meetings to discuss problems, develop resolutions, provide updates and discuss FTZ issues which may be of concern to local operators. When necessary, special meetings are held for operators involved in importing and exporting. Customs does recognize the important role of FTZs in secure freight handling once the goods are in the U.S.