“Companies to service cargo and vessels at the Port of Houston and along the Houston Ship Channel will be in high demand for the foreseeable future and will continue to provide impetus to our city’s economic vitality.”

— Above is a quote from one of my posts earlier this month touting Houston Growth in International Trade and Logistics.

Another major firm expanding operations to Houston’s commerce hub

Marlink, an international satellite communications provider, announced this week a visible step in its global business strategy. It is opening a Regional Headquarters operations center in Houston to meet growing demand from its maritime and offshore industry customers throughout North and South America. It will be located near the South Shore Harbor complex, with access to the ports of Houston, Galveston and the primary offshore oil and gas support bases in Louisiana. (Full Article in Houston Business Journal: “Marlink Picks Houston for Americas Headquarters” 03/12/2007)

Houston’s Gulf Coast has long powered the growth in southeast Texas and 2006 was no exception to this trend. Houston’s trade has more than doubled since 2003. As reported by the U.S. Census Department, the Houston Customs District had an import export increase of 19 percent last year. That makes Houston the nation’s fourth most important Customs District in the nation. The 2006 results marked the second year in a row that Houston has bettered its national standing in import export activity.

Houston’s upward movement as a major player in international trade and the continued influx of business relocations such as Marlink’s, will keep this sector of Houston’s economy a target of interest for those who are looking for acquisitions in the industries associated with international trade and logistics.