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Network & Regions

Corpus Christi

America's largest crude export gateway. We arrange export freight, terminal scheduling and inspection for Permian and Eagle Ford crude at Corpus Christi.

Crude tanker leaving a Texas port through a channel past a long bridge

Pipelines from the Permian Basin and Eagle Ford end at Corpus Christi, which has become the largest crude export gateway in the United States. In 2025 the port moved 203.4 million tons of cargo, most of it crude oil.

The Corpus Christi Ship Channel was deepened from 47 to 54 feet and widened in a project completed in 2025, letting larger, more fully loaded tankers sail from the inner harbor. We fix export tonnage, coordinate loading slots and appoint inspectors.

203.4M tonsTotal cargo through the port in 2025
54 ftChannel depth after the 2025 deepening
$625MShip Channel Improvement Project cost
290,000 b/cdValero and Flint Hills West refineries, each (EIA, Jan 2026)

Why the deeper channel matters

At 54 feet, ships can load more crude per voyage, so less reverse lightering is needed offshore and the freight cost per barrel falls. Refineries on the channel include Flint Hills, Valero and Citgo, and Cheniere runs an LNG export plant nearby.

What we arrange

Gulf Coast crude is generally priced off Argus WTI Houston, with export barrels quoted as a differential.

  • Aframax, Suezmax and VLCC export freight
  • Loading slot coordination with export terminals
  • Reverse lightering planning
  • Independent quantity and quality inspection
  • Tracking to Europe and Asia

Frequently asked questions

Why does the 54 ft depth matter?

Ships can load more crude per voyage, so less reverse lightering is needed and the cost per barrel falls.

Is Corpus Christi bigger than Houston for crude exports?

It is the largest US crude export gateway, while Houston leads in total tonnage.

Did 2025 volumes grow?

No. Total tonnage fell 1.5 percent from the 2024 record, and crude shipments fell 2.3 percent.

Corpus ChristiCrude exportsPermianEagle FordTexasVLCC

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