The Record Newspapers - Hometown News For Orange County, Texas

Today, State Senator Robert Nichols (R-Jacksonville) toured the Port of Beaumont and their facility in Orange.

"The Port of Beaumont has played an important role in bringing global trade to Southeast Texas," said Nichols. "As Chairman of the Senate Transportation Committee, I understand the important role that ports have on the economy of our state."

The Port of Beaumont Navigation District is located approximately 42 miles inland from the Gulf of Mexico along the Sabine-Neches Waterway and covers an area of about 150 square miles. According to the American Association of Port Authorities it is the fourth busiest port in the United States and the 34th largest in the world, in terms of tonnage. Each year, the Port of Beaumont provides more than 2,000 jobs to local residents.

The facility in Orange is located on the east bank of the Neches River. The site includes a 650-foot cargo wharf and a new petroleum terminal that is capable of handling unit trains up to 120 cars which carry crude oil from locations across North America.

"The Port of Beaumont was honored and very pleased for Senator Robert Nichols to tour the port today,” said Beaumont Port Director Chris Fisher. “Senator Nichols has always been very supportive of the issues affecting the ports of Southeast Texas and continues to be an effective voice in Austin for the industry.”

Nichols represents Orange County in Senate District 3. He serves as Chairman of the Senate Transportation Committee, which oversees all pertinent legislation and issues for ports in Texas. Prior to being elected to the Texas Senate, Nichols served as a Texas Transportation Commissioner for eight years.