Crowley, Port Houston Connect Central America and the U.S. Gulf with New Weekly Shipping Service

Crowley, a global logistics and marine solutions provider, has introduced a new weekly shipping service connecting Port Houston to Santo Tomás de Castilla, Guatemala, and Puerto Cortés, Honduras. These are two of Central America's largest and fastest-growing trade hubs. The service, named the Gulf-Central America Express Service, will commence operations on September 10 with departures on Thursdays. The vessels will transport a variety of cargo, including dry and refrigerated containers, safely from sea to land.

Central American exports to the U.S. have risen by 15.7% in early 2026, primarily due to the demand for fresh produce, according to the Inter-American Development Bank. According to Claudia Kattan, Crowley's vice president for Central America, Mexico, and Panama, a direct Houston connection provides a dependable and efficient logistics option for U.S.-Central American supply chains.

Shippers benefit from faster transit times, better inventory planning, and the ability to move time-sensitive cargo without the delays associated with transshipments.

Port Houston, one of the nation's top five and fastest-growing container ports, handles about 75% of U.S. Gulf container volume. The port's scale and inland connectivity enable Central American exporters to have direct access to Texas, Midwest, and West Coast markets, enhancing supply chain reliability for U.S. retailers. John Moseley, Port Houston's chief commercial officer, expressed pride in welcoming Crowley's Gulf-Central America Express Service to the port, noting that the new weekly call offers shippers a direct, reliable connection to Houston and two significant Central American gateways, thereby expanding options for customers moving refrigerated and dry cargo through Houston.

Crowley's expansion complements the company's longstanding presence in Caribbean and Central American regions, where it has maintained an integrated inland logistics network for over 65 years. By merging ocean transportation with warehousing and inland services via a single provider, businesses can minimize handoffs and enhance supply chain visibility, a significant advantage for retailers managing product inventory and shelf-life cycles.

Charlie Jenkins, Port Houston's CEO, highlighted that the service will forge a more direct pathway for fresh produce and everyday goods to reach stores and families across the region while enabling Texas businesses to connect with customers in Central America. This, Jenkins explained, is the essence of Port Houston's growth: fostering opportunity and improving the reliability of supply chains that people depend on.