Data through 2026-11-08 (8 November 2026)
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Winter storm closes Houston, Galveston, Texas City and Corpus Christi ports

Winter storm closes Houston, Galveston, Texas City and Corpus Christi ports. The disruption ran from 2021-02-14 (14 February 2021) to 2021-02-23 (23 February 2021), 10 days, affecting Houston, Galveston, Texas City, Corpus Christi, Freeport (US). Corpus Christi averaged 2.4 calls per day during the event window against an expected 4.7 (-48.4%). Texas City averaged 1.0 calls per day during the event window against an expected 1.9 (-0.9). Galveston averaged 1.9 calls per day during the event window against an expected 2.6 (-0.8). Houston averaged 2.2 calls per day during the event window against an expected 3.0 (-26.7%). Houston averaged 10.6 calls per day during the event window against an expected 19.4 (-45.4%).

World Freight Monitor permanent record. https://worldfreightmonitor.com/events/2021/winter-storm-uri-texas-gulf-ports-2021/. Record last updated 2026-10-29.

Key facts

Started
2021-02-14 (14 February 2021)
Ended
2021-02-23 (23 February 2021)
Status
ended
Severity
2 Moderate
Scope
regional
Chokepoints
None
Lanes
None
Countries
United States
Confidence
medium: Closure and reopening times for Galveston, Texas City, Houston, Corpus Christi and Freeport come from one Argus report citing the Coast Guard, and the Maritime Executive reported no Coast Guard restriction on 2021-02-16. Port Houston's own statement is undated on the suspension and reopening, so the end date is an upper bound taken from the 2021-02-23 commission meeting.
First reported
2021-02-16 (16 February 2021)
  • Severity basis: Port Houston suspended work at its eight public terminals for what a trade report described as nearly a week, and the Houston Ship Channel closed from 19:30 on 2021-02-16 to 10:30 on 2021-02-17, which falls in the band of 24 hours to 7 days at port level.

What happened

A severe winter storm disrupted Texas Gulf Coast ports in February 2021. Galveston and Texas City closed to vessel traffic at 19:00 on 2021-02-14 (14 February 2021), and the Corpus Christi pilots stopped boarding ships that day. According to the Coast Guard as reported by Argus, the Port of Houston and Houston Ship Channel closed at 19:30 on 2021-02-16 and reopened at 10:30 on 2021-02-17. Port Houston suspended its eight public terminals for what a trade report called nearly a week, and told its commissioners on 2021-02-23 that all had resumed. The sources reviewed give no reopening time for Galveston, Texas City or Corpus Christi, and one trade report said no Coast Guard navigation restriction was posted on 2021-02-16.

Measured effect

Port calls, Houston

Baseline (expected)
19.4 calls per day
Observed
10.6 calls per day
Change
-8.8 (-45.4%)
Standardised score
-2.0
Event window
2021-02-14 to 2021-02-23 (10 days)
Baseline window
2020-12-13 to 2021-02-06 (46 valid days)
Method
wfm-effect-1.0
Computed
2026-10-29 (29 October 2026), data revision 1:8562de0ff55f
Port calls, HoustonPort calls, Houston, 2020-12-06 (6 December 2020) to 2021-04-06 (6 April 2021): values ranged from 0 calls per day on 2021-01-21 to 39 calls per day on 2021-01-26, with a mean of 17.8 calls per day. The latest value, for 2021-04-06, was 20 calls per day. The shaded band marks the event window, 2021-02-14 to 2021-02-23.0102030402020-12-062021-02-052021-04-06
Port calls, Houston, 2020-12-06 (6 December 2020) to 2021-04-06 (6 April 2021): values ranged from 0 calls per day on 2021-01-21 to 39 calls per day on 2021-01-26, with a mean of 17.8 calls per day. The latest value, for 2021-04-06, was 20 calls per day. The shaded band marks the event window, 2021-02-14 to 2021-02-23.

Source: IMF PortWatch (portwatch.imf.org), International Monetary Fund, using UN Global Platform AIS data. Statistics derived by World Freight Monitor. Terms. Retrieved 2026-11-10 (10 November 2026).

Port calls, Houston (calls per day).
Datecalls per day
2020-12-0612
2020-12-0720
2020-12-0823
2020-12-0916
2020-12-1021
2020-12-1120
2020-12-1223
2020-12-1315
2020-12-1414
2020-12-1521
2020-12-1616
2020-12-1721
2020-12-1817
2020-12-1920
2020-12-2011
2020-12-2122
2020-12-2223
2020-12-2326
2020-12-2415
2020-12-2519
2020-12-2622
2020-12-2721
2020-12-2821
2020-12-2923
2020-12-3020
2020-12-3118
2021-01-0117
2021-01-0221
2021-01-0317
2021-01-0420
2021-01-0513
2021-01-0622
2021-01-0715
2021-01-0820
2021-01-0914
2021-01-1019
2021-01-1123
2021-01-1222
2021-01-1317
2021-01-1420
2021-01-1517
2021-01-1617
2021-01-1720
2021-01-1819
2021-01-1914
2021-01-209
2021-01-210
2021-01-222
2021-01-2328
2021-01-244
2021-01-2512
2021-01-2639
2021-01-2734
2021-01-2824
2021-01-2922
2021-01-3023
2021-01-3120
2021-02-0128
2021-02-0220
2021-02-0327
2021-02-0418
2021-02-0520
2021-02-0617
2021-02-0717
2021-02-0819
2021-02-094
2021-02-100
2021-02-1122
2021-02-1230
2021-02-1323
2021-02-1417
2021-02-151
2021-02-166
2021-02-177
2021-02-185
2021-02-198
2021-02-2020
2021-02-2111
2021-02-2213
2021-02-2318
2021-02-2428
2021-02-255
2021-02-260
2021-02-2713
2021-02-288
2021-03-015
2021-03-0234
2021-03-0333
2021-03-0428
2021-03-0525
2021-03-0620
2021-03-0713
2021-03-0825
2021-03-0913
2021-03-1013
2021-03-1123
2021-03-1219
2021-03-1316
2021-03-1419
2021-03-157
2021-03-1621
2021-03-1719
2021-03-1827
2021-03-1919
2021-03-2015
2021-03-2121
2021-03-2220
2021-03-2321
2021-03-2419
2021-03-2513
2021-03-2619
2021-03-2711
2021-03-2827
2021-03-2917
2021-03-3019
2021-03-3110
2021-04-0130
2021-04-0215
2021-04-0313
2021-04-0415
2021-04-0517
2021-04-0620

This is a measured change in public data during the event window, compared with a baseline before it. It shows timing, not cause. We describe an event as causing a change only when an official source says so.

Container ship port calls, Houston

Baseline (expected)
3.0 calls per day
Observed
2.2 calls per day
Change
-0.8 (-26.7%)
Standardised score
-0.5
Event window
2021-02-14 to 2021-02-23 (10 days)
Baseline window
2020-12-13 to 2021-02-06 (46 valid days)
Method
wfm-effect-1.0
Computed
2026-10-29 (29 October 2026), data revision 1:ed302ad1a271
Container ship port calls, HoustonContainer ship port calls, Houston, 2020-12-06 (6 December 2020) to 2021-04-06 (6 April 2021): values ranged from 0 calls per day on 2020-12-20 to 7 calls per day on 2020-12-07, with a mean of 2.7 calls per day. The latest value, for 2021-04-06, was 3 calls per day. The shaded band marks the event window, 2021-02-14 to 2021-02-23.024682020-12-062021-02-052021-04-06
Container ship port calls, Houston, 2020-12-06 (6 December 2020) to 2021-04-06 (6 April 2021): values ranged from 0 calls per day on 2020-12-20 to 7 calls per day on 2020-12-07, with a mean of 2.7 calls per day. The latest value, for 2021-04-06, was 3 calls per day. The shaded band marks the event window, 2021-02-14 to 2021-02-23.

Source: IMF PortWatch (portwatch.imf.org), International Monetary Fund, using UN Global Platform AIS data. Statistics derived by World Freight Monitor. Terms. Retrieved 2026-11-10 (10 November 2026).

Container ship port calls, Houston (calls per day).
Datecalls per day
2020-12-061
2020-12-077
2020-12-082
2020-12-093
2020-12-103
2020-12-114
2020-12-122
2020-12-135
2020-12-141
2020-12-154
2020-12-163
2020-12-173
2020-12-183
2020-12-194
2020-12-200
2020-12-216
2020-12-222
2020-12-234
2020-12-241
2020-12-250
2020-12-263
2020-12-275
2020-12-282
2020-12-294
2020-12-301
2020-12-311
2021-01-014
2021-01-024
2021-01-033
2021-01-042
2021-01-054
2021-01-062
2021-01-071
2021-01-086
2021-01-091
2021-01-102
2021-01-113
2021-01-125
2021-01-133
2021-01-143
2021-01-152
2021-01-163
2021-01-173
2021-01-184
2021-01-192
2021-01-201
2021-01-210
2021-01-220
2021-01-235
2021-01-240
2021-01-252
2021-01-265
2021-01-277
2021-01-283
2021-01-293
2021-01-303
2021-01-314
2021-02-011
2021-02-023
2021-02-033
2021-02-043
2021-02-053
2021-02-063
2021-02-072
2021-02-085
2021-02-090
2021-02-100
2021-02-113
2021-02-124
2021-02-134
2021-02-143
2021-02-150
2021-02-163
2021-02-172
2021-02-180
2021-02-190
2021-02-204
2021-02-213
2021-02-227
2021-02-230
2021-02-242
2021-02-250
2021-02-260
2021-02-271
2021-02-280
2021-03-012
2021-03-024
2021-03-033
2021-03-046
2021-03-053
2021-03-064
2021-03-071
2021-03-084
2021-03-094
2021-03-103
2021-03-113
2021-03-123
2021-03-132
2021-03-143
2021-03-150
2021-03-165
2021-03-173
2021-03-184
2021-03-191
2021-03-202
2021-03-213
2021-03-223
2021-03-232
2021-03-243
2021-03-253
2021-03-261
2021-03-272
2021-03-285
2021-03-293
2021-03-301
2021-03-313
2021-04-014
2021-04-023
2021-04-032
2021-04-044
2021-04-053
2021-04-063

This is a measured change in public data during the event window, compared with a baseline before it. It shows timing, not cause. We describe an event as causing a change only when an official source says so.

Port calls, Galveston

Baseline (expected)
2.7 calls per day
Observed
1.9 calls per day
Change
-0.8 (percent omitted, baseline too small)
Standardised score
-0.5
Event window
2021-02-14 to 2021-02-23 (10 days)
Baseline window
2020-12-13 to 2021-02-06 (46 valid days)
Method
wfm-effect-1.0
Computed
2026-10-29 (29 October 2026), data revision 1:f13ae409e76d
Port calls, GalvestonPort calls, Galveston, 2020-12-06 (6 December 2020) to 2021-04-06 (6 April 2021): values ranged from 0 calls per day on 2020-12-06 to 6 calls per day on 2020-12-08, with a mean of 2.1 calls per day. The latest value, for 2021-04-06, was 1 calls per day. The shaded band marks the event window, 2021-02-14 to 2021-02-23.02462020-12-062021-02-052021-04-06
Port calls, Galveston, 2020-12-06 (6 December 2020) to 2021-04-06 (6 April 2021): values ranged from 0 calls per day on 2020-12-06 to 6 calls per day on 2020-12-08, with a mean of 2.1 calls per day. The latest value, for 2021-04-06, was 1 calls per day. The shaded band marks the event window, 2021-02-14 to 2021-02-23.

Source: IMF PortWatch (portwatch.imf.org), International Monetary Fund, using UN Global Platform AIS data. Statistics derived by World Freight Monitor. Terms. Retrieved 2026-11-10 (10 November 2026).

Port calls, Galveston (calls per day).
Datecalls per day
2020-12-060
2020-12-071
2020-12-086
2020-12-093
2020-12-104
2020-12-110
2020-12-123
2020-12-130
2020-12-141
2020-12-151
2020-12-163
2020-12-171
2020-12-183
2020-12-193
2020-12-201
2020-12-213
2020-12-221
2020-12-235
2020-12-241
2020-12-250
2020-12-262
2020-12-273
2020-12-283
2020-12-292
2020-12-304
2020-12-312
2021-01-010
2021-01-020
2021-01-032
2021-01-043
2021-01-053
2021-01-063
2021-01-074
2021-01-082
2021-01-093
2021-01-102
2021-01-112
2021-01-123
2021-01-131
2021-01-142
2021-01-153
2021-01-161
2021-01-171
2021-01-182
2021-01-194
2021-01-201
2021-01-214
2021-01-222
2021-01-233
2021-01-243
2021-01-255
2021-01-262
2021-01-273
2021-01-283
2021-01-290
2021-01-301
2021-01-312
2021-02-015
2021-02-023
2021-02-034
2021-02-040
2021-02-052
2021-02-063
2021-02-071
2021-02-081
2021-02-090
2021-02-101
2021-02-113
2021-02-122
2021-02-133
2021-02-143
2021-02-150
2021-02-160
2021-02-172
2021-02-181
2021-02-192
2021-02-204
2021-02-210
2021-02-222
2021-02-235
2021-02-241
2021-02-254
2021-02-262
2021-02-271
2021-02-281
2021-03-012
2021-03-021
2021-03-030
2021-03-041
2021-03-052
2021-03-061
2021-03-073
2021-03-081
2021-03-095
2021-03-103
2021-03-111
2021-03-121
2021-03-131
2021-03-142
2021-03-154
2021-03-164
2021-03-171
2021-03-183
2021-03-192
2021-03-202
2021-03-210
2021-03-224
2021-03-231
2021-03-242
2021-03-253
2021-03-261
2021-03-271
2021-03-281
2021-03-290
2021-03-302
2021-03-315
2021-04-013
2021-04-022
2021-04-030
2021-04-041
2021-04-052
2021-04-061

This is a measured change in public data during the event window, compared with a baseline before it. It shows timing, not cause. We describe an event as causing a change only when an official source says so.

Port calls, Texas City

Baseline (expected)
1.9 calls per day
Observed
1.0 calls per day
Change
-0.9 (percent omitted, baseline too small)
Standardised score
-0.6
Event window
2021-02-14 to 2021-02-23 (10 days)
Baseline window
2020-12-13 to 2021-02-06 (46 valid days)
Method
wfm-effect-1.0
Computed
2026-10-29 (29 October 2026), data revision 1:7ef54fa9dd0a
Port calls, Texas CityPort calls, Texas City, 2020-12-06 (6 December 2020) to 2021-04-06 (6 April 2021): values ranged from 0 calls per day on 2020-12-19 to 5 calls per day on 2021-01-12, with a mean of 1.7 calls per day. The latest value, for 2021-04-06, was 0 calls per day. The shaded band marks the event window, 2021-02-14 to 2021-02-23.0123452020-12-062021-02-052021-04-06
Port calls, Texas City, 2020-12-06 (6 December 2020) to 2021-04-06 (6 April 2021): values ranged from 0 calls per day on 2020-12-19 to 5 calls per day on 2021-01-12, with a mean of 1.7 calls per day. The latest value, for 2021-04-06, was 0 calls per day. The shaded band marks the event window, 2021-02-14 to 2021-02-23.

Source: IMF PortWatch (portwatch.imf.org), International Monetary Fund, using UN Global Platform AIS data. Statistics derived by World Freight Monitor. Terms. Retrieved 2026-11-10 (10 November 2026).

Port calls, Texas City (calls per day).
Datecalls per day
2020-12-062
2020-12-073
2020-12-082
2020-12-091
2020-12-102
2020-12-113
2020-12-121
2020-12-131
2020-12-143
2020-12-151
2020-12-164
2020-12-171
2020-12-182
2020-12-190
2020-12-202
2020-12-212
2020-12-222
2020-12-231
2020-12-244
2020-12-254
2020-12-263
2020-12-271
2020-12-282
2020-12-292
2020-12-300
2020-12-311
2021-01-013
2021-01-022
2021-01-031
2021-01-041
2021-01-052
2021-01-063
2021-01-073
2021-01-083
2021-01-090
2021-01-103
2021-01-113
2021-01-125
2021-01-132
2021-01-140
2021-01-153
2021-01-161
2021-01-171
2021-01-181
2021-01-190
2021-01-202
2021-01-214
2021-01-221
2021-01-231
2021-01-242
2021-01-254
2021-01-263
2021-01-272
2021-01-281
2021-01-294
2021-01-301
2021-01-312
2021-02-011
2021-02-024
2021-02-032
2021-02-042
2021-02-051
2021-02-062
2021-02-074
2021-02-082
2021-02-091
2021-02-103
2021-02-111
2021-02-123
2021-02-131
2021-02-142
2021-02-150
2021-02-160
2021-02-170
2021-02-182
2021-02-191
2021-02-202
2021-02-210
2021-02-222
2021-02-231
2021-02-242
2021-02-250
2021-02-261
2021-02-271
2021-02-281
2021-03-010
2021-03-021
2021-03-032
2021-03-043
2021-03-051
2021-03-060
2021-03-071
2021-03-082
2021-03-092
2021-03-102
2021-03-111
2021-03-122
2021-03-131
2021-03-140
2021-03-151
2021-03-161
2021-03-173
2021-03-181
2021-03-192
2021-03-202
2021-03-212
2021-03-223
2021-03-231
2021-03-243
2021-03-250
2021-03-261
2021-03-271
2021-03-285
2021-03-292
2021-03-302
2021-03-311
2021-04-013
2021-04-022
2021-04-031
2021-04-040
2021-04-050
2021-04-060

This is a measured change in public data during the event window, compared with a baseline before it. It shows timing, not cause. We describe an event as causing a change only when an official source says so.

Port calls, Corpus Christi

Baseline (expected)
4.7 calls per day
Observed
2.4 calls per day
Change
-2.3 (-48.4%)
Standardised score
-1.0
Event window
2021-02-14 to 2021-02-23 (10 days)
Baseline window
2020-12-13 to 2021-02-06 (46 valid days)
Method
wfm-effect-1.0
Computed
2026-10-29 (29 October 2026), data revision 1:d80830e4fbf7
Port calls, Corpus ChristiPort calls, Corpus Christi, 2020-12-06 (6 December 2020) to 2021-04-06 (6 April 2021): values ranged from 0 calls per day on 2021-02-15 to 12 calls per day on 2021-03-09, with a mean of 4.5 calls per day. The latest value, for 2021-04-06, was 3 calls per day. The shaded band marks the event window, 2021-02-14 to 2021-02-23.035810132020-12-062021-02-052021-04-06
Port calls, Corpus Christi, 2020-12-06 (6 December 2020) to 2021-04-06 (6 April 2021): values ranged from 0 calls per day on 2021-02-15 to 12 calls per day on 2021-03-09, with a mean of 4.5 calls per day. The latest value, for 2021-04-06, was 3 calls per day. The shaded band marks the event window, 2021-02-14 to 2021-02-23.

Source: IMF PortWatch (portwatch.imf.org), International Monetary Fund, using UN Global Platform AIS data. Statistics derived by World Freight Monitor. Terms. Retrieved 2026-11-10 (10 November 2026).

Port calls, Corpus Christi (calls per day).
Datecalls per day
2020-12-068
2020-12-074
2020-12-084
2020-12-095
2020-12-104
2020-12-116
2020-12-126
2020-12-132
2020-12-145
2020-12-158
2020-12-166
2020-12-172
2020-12-189
2020-12-197
2020-12-203
2020-12-214
2020-12-226
2020-12-234
2020-12-247
2020-12-251
2020-12-267
2020-12-275
2020-12-285
2020-12-292
2020-12-307
2020-12-313
2021-01-016
2021-01-024
2021-01-033
2021-01-046
2021-01-053
2021-01-068
2021-01-075
2021-01-085
2021-01-095
2021-01-102
2021-01-116
2021-01-125
2021-01-136
2021-01-146
2021-01-153
2021-01-163
2021-01-172
2021-01-185
2021-01-195
2021-01-206
2021-01-215
2021-01-226
2021-01-231
2021-01-245
2021-01-257
2021-01-2610
2021-01-272
2021-01-282
2021-01-298
2021-01-303
2021-01-313
2021-02-015
2021-02-023
2021-02-034
2021-02-044
2021-02-0510
2021-02-061
2021-02-074
2021-02-087
2021-02-091
2021-02-108
2021-02-111
2021-02-127
2021-02-135
2021-02-145
2021-02-150
2021-02-160
2021-02-171
2021-02-184
2021-02-192
2021-02-203
2021-02-214
2021-02-223
2021-02-232
2021-02-241
2021-02-256
2021-02-261
2021-02-272
2021-02-282
2021-03-018
2021-03-026
2021-03-036
2021-03-043
2021-03-056
2021-03-064
2021-03-073
2021-03-085
2021-03-0912
2021-03-101
2021-03-114
2021-03-125
2021-03-135
2021-03-146
2021-03-151
2021-03-167
2021-03-176
2021-03-186
2021-03-194
2021-03-204
2021-03-214
2021-03-227
2021-03-236
2021-03-241
2021-03-253
2021-03-269
2021-03-273
2021-03-286
2021-03-292
2021-03-305
2021-03-315
2021-04-015
2021-04-022
2021-04-036
2021-04-043
2021-04-057
2021-04-063

This is a measured change in public data during the event window, compared with a baseline before it. It shows timing, not cause. We describe an event as causing a change only when an official source says so.

Replay

Replay: Port calls, HoustonPort calls, Houston, 2020-12-16 (16 December 2020) to 2021-03-16 (16 March 2021): values ranged from 0 calls per day on 2021-01-21 to 39 calls per day on 2021-01-26. The shaded band marks the event window, 2021-02-14 to 2021-02-23.0102030402020-12-162021-03-16
Port calls, Houston, 2020-12-16 (16 December 2020) to 2021-03-16 (16 March 2021): values ranged from 0 calls per day on 2021-01-21 to 39 calls per day on 2021-01-26. The shaded band marks the event window, 2021-02-14 to 2021-02-23.

Source: IMF PortWatch (portwatch.imf.org), International Monetary Fund, using UN Global Platform AIS data. Statistics derived by World Freight Monitor. Terms. Retrieved 2026-11-10 (10 November 2026).

Port calls, Houston (calls per day), daily values shown in the replay.
Datecalls per day
2020-12-1616
2020-12-1721
2020-12-1817
2020-12-1920
2020-12-2011
2020-12-2122
2020-12-2223
2020-12-2326
2020-12-2415
2020-12-2519
2020-12-2622
2020-12-2721
2020-12-2821
2020-12-2923
2020-12-3020
2020-12-3118
2021-01-0117
2021-01-0221
2021-01-0317
2021-01-0420
2021-01-0513
2021-01-0622
2021-01-0715
2021-01-0820
2021-01-0914
2021-01-1019
2021-01-1123
2021-01-1222
2021-01-1317
2021-01-1420
2021-01-1517
2021-01-1617
2021-01-1720
2021-01-1819
2021-01-1914
2021-01-209
2021-01-210
2021-01-222
2021-01-2328
2021-01-244
2021-01-2512
2021-01-2639
2021-01-2734
2021-01-2824
2021-01-2922
2021-01-3023
2021-01-3120
2021-02-0128
2021-02-0220
2021-02-0327
2021-02-0418
2021-02-0520
2021-02-0617
2021-02-0717
2021-02-0819
2021-02-094
2021-02-100
2021-02-1122
2021-02-1230
2021-02-1323
2021-02-1417
2021-02-151
2021-02-166
2021-02-177
2021-02-185
2021-02-198
2021-02-2020
2021-02-2111
2021-02-2213
2021-02-2318
2021-02-2428
2021-02-255
2021-02-260
2021-02-2713
2021-02-288
2021-03-015
2021-03-0234
2021-03-0333
2021-03-0428
2021-03-0525
2021-03-0620
2021-03-0713
2021-03-0825
2021-03-0913
2021-03-1013
2021-03-1123
2021-03-1219
2021-03-1316
2021-03-1419
2021-03-157
2021-03-1621

This is a measured change in public data during the event window, compared with a baseline before it. It shows timing, not cause. We describe an event as causing a change only when an official source says so.

Timeline

  1. Galveston and Texas City close to all vessel traffic at 19:00, and the Aransas-Corpus Christi Pilots Association stops boarding vessels in the Corpus Christi Ship Channel because of gale-force wind and record-low temperatures. [s3] [s4]
  2. A Houston Pilots Association dispatcher says many terminals are closed, with about 13 vessels waiting to leave and 18 waiting to enter. The Maritime Executive reports no Captain of the Port restriction. That evening the Coast Guard closes the Houston Ship Channel and port at 19:30, and Corpus Christi closes at 23:50. [s1] [s2] [s3]
  3. The Coast Guard reopens the Houston Ship Channel and Port of Houston at 10:30. Freeport closes at 07:45, and Galveston and Texas City remain closed. The Port of Corpus Christi says it is operating with limitations and that pilots are moving vessels sporadically. [s3] [s4]
  4. At its regular meeting the Port of Houston Authority commission says the public terminals suspended during the storm have reopened, after a loss of power, water and other systems at several terminals. [s5]

Cause

Port Houston said it suspended operations because of record sub-freezing temperatures, and the Port of Corpus Christi cited freezing temperatures, heavy precipitation, fog and gale-force wind. Port Houston said several public terminals also lost power and water. Attributed by: Port Houston and Port of Corpus Christi Authority. [s4] [s5]

Resolution

2021-02-23 (23 February 2021): The Coast Guard reopened the Houston Ship Channel on 2021-02-17. Port Houston reported at its commission meeting on 2021-02-23 that all public terminals had resumed operations. The date is an upper bound, and the sources reviewed do not say when Galveston, Texas City, Freeport and Corpus Christi resumed. AJOT described the Port Houston shutdown as lasting nearly a week. [s3] [s5] [s6]

Corrections

No corrections to this record as of 2026-10-29 (29 October 2026).

Sources

  1. [s1] gCaptain (Reuters), Deep freeze shuts Houston Ship Channel, published 2021-02-16 (16 February 2021), accessed 2026-10-28. Archived copy. (press)
  2. [s2] The Maritime Executive, Record low temperatures impede marine operations in Houston, published 2021-02-16 (16 February 2021), accessed 2026-10-28. Archived copy. (press)
  3. [s3] Argus Media, Houston Ship Channel reopens to vessel traffic, published 2021-02-17 (17 February 2021), accessed 2026-10-28. Archived copy. (press)
  4. [s4] Port of Corpus Christi Authority, Media advisory, Port of Corpus Christi Remains Operational Through Winter Storm, published 2021-02-17 (17 February 2021), accessed 2026-10-28. Archived copy. (official)
  5. [s5] Port Houston (Business Wire), Port Houston Weathers Historic Winter Storm, published 2021-02-24 (24 February 2021), accessed 2026-10-28. Archived copy. (official)
  6. [s6] American Journal of Transportation, Winter storm takes toll on Port Houston volumes, published 2021-03-15 (15 March 2021), accessed 2026-10-28. Archived copy. (press)

Cite this record

The address of this record is permanent and a correction is always logged on this page, so a citation names the version you read. Add the date you accessed it.

Plain text

World Freight Monitor. "Winter storm closes Houston, Galveston, Texas City and Corpus Christi ports." Last updated 2026-10-29 (29 October 2026). https://worldfreightmonitor.com/events/2021/winter-storm-uri-texas-gulf-ports-2021/

APA

World Freight Monitor. (2026). Winter storm closes Houston, Galveston, Texas City and Corpus Christi ports. World Freight Monitor. https://worldfreightmonitor.com/events/2021/winter-storm-uri-texas-gulf-ports-2021/

BibTeX

@misc{wfm_winter_storm_uri_texas_gulf_ports_2021,
  author = {{World Freight Monitor}},
  title = {Winter storm closes Houston, Galveston, Texas City and Corpus Christi ports},
  year = {2026},
  note = {Last updated 2026-10-29},
  url = {https://worldfreightmonitor.com/events/2021/winter-storm-uri-texas-gulf-ports-2021/}
}