HIMC25 Celebrates Record Attendance and Industry Leadership

The 4th annual Houston International Maritime Conference ("HIMC25") concluded at the Hilton Americas in downtown Houston, drawing a record-breaking 850 industry professionals from across the global supply chain, petrochemical, energy, container, and maritime sectors.

Hosted by Port Houston, the conference has quickly become one of the premier maritime events in the nation, connecting leaders and innovators who are shaping the future of international trade. The 2025 program featured a dynamic lineup of sessions, networking events, and high-profile speakers tackling today’s most pressing industry challenges, including supply chain resiliency, infrastructure, tanker shipping, petrochemical trade, and digital transformation.

“Every year this event grows in scope and impact,” said Charlie Jenkins, CEO of Port Houston. “HIMC brings together every segment of our industry to discuss solutions that will keep Houston and the nation’s maritime gateway strong for decades to come. With this year’s expanded agenda, we reflected the full spectrum of industries that make the Houston Ship Channel the most vital waterway in the U.S.”

The four-day conference, held on November 2-5, included more than a dozen expert-led panels on tariffs and trade, energy and petrochemicals, port infrastructure, tanker markets, and supply chain fluidity, alongside interactive sessions on education, workforce development, and technology in logistics.

Key Highlights

• Captain Richard Phillips, the real-life inspiration for the film Captain Phillips, shared his experiences and leadership lessons from the high seas in a fireside chat with Port Houston’s COO, Eric Casey, who was part of the team involved in his rescue.
• A special address by Jim Teague, Co-Chief Executive Officer and Director of Enterprise Products, who was also recognized as the recipient of the Lone Star Award.
• A fireside chat between Dr. Ricaurte “Catin” Vásquez, CEO of the Panama Canal Authority, and CNBC’s Lori Ann LaRocco, offering insights on global trade and canal operations.
• Student engagement initiatives, to learn about maritime careers and network with industry professionals.

A Growing Platform for Collaboration

Supported by an active HIMC Advisory Committee, which is comprised of leaders from the public and private sectors, including logistics, academia, and energy, HIMC25 built on the success of previous years’ sold-out events. The expanded agenda also reflected Houston’s leadership in liquid bulk, chemical tanker, and container shipping markets.

“At Port Houston, we don’t simply react to shifts in the market—we plan for them,” Jenkins added. “HIMC allows us to come together as an industry to share best practices and position Houston as the anchor for America’s maritime future.

Next year’s Houston International Maritime Conference will be held November 3–4, 2026, again at the Hilton Americas in Houston.

Photo: On the left, Port Houston CEO Charlie Jenkins presents Co-Chief Executive Officer and Director of Enterprise Products Jim Teague with the Port Houston Lone Star Award. Joining Jim Teague on the stage is Bob Sanders, Executive Vice President, Asset Optimization, Enterprise Products. Photo courtesy of Port Houston.