Port Arthur (Port)

Latest news

Explosion and fire in Valero refinery

An explosion and fire struck the Valero’s refinery in Port Arthur, which has a processing capacity of approximately 435,000 barrels of crude oil per day, on March 23, 2026, at 5 p.m. LT. A loud boom accompanied by strong vibrations, strong enough to shake buildings was notices. There were no reported injuries, and all workers were accounted for. Emergency responders including the fire department and the sheriff’s department responded to the incident. Multiple fire engines and a hazmat team with specialised equipment were deployed at the scene. Officials issued a shelter-in-place advisory for residents near the refinery, instructing them to close windows and doors and avoid outdoor exposure until further notice. Traffic in the area was disrupted, with drivers urged to avoid key routes near the facility. The explosion was believed to have been caused by a heater unit inside the refinery, while the exact cause remained under investigation. Reports with photos: https://nypost.com/2026/03/23/us-news/massive-explosion-at-crude-oil-refinery-rocks-texas-city-as-residents-told-to-shelter-in-place/ https://news4sanantonio.com/news/local/explosion-at-valero-facility-in-port-arthur-prompts-shelter-in-place-order

Howard Completes Port Arthur Terminal

Texas-based midstreamer Howard Energy Partners (Hep) announced that it’s completed the expansions of its bulk liquid terminal facilities in Port Arthur and Corpus Christi, Texas. The completion of these projects increases HEP’s Gulf Coast terminal storage capacity to 2.6 million barrels with three ship docks, three barge docks, unit train loading capacity for up to two trains per day, and direct pipeline connectivity through wholly-owned pipelines to seven refineries. HEP began operating terminal facilities in mid-2014. “The substantial expansions at our Port Arthur and Corpus Christi facilities signify HEP’s commitment to designing and constructing fully-engineered facilities that are tailored to meet the exact needs of our customers,” said HEP Co-Founder and President Brad Bynum.

Coast Guard assists after shing vessel capsizes

The Coast Guard assisted in the rescue of four crewmembers from a shing vessel after it capsized near Sabine Pass on Tuesday morning. Eighth Coast Guard District watchstanders in New Orleans received an emergency position indicating radio beacon signal from the 65-foot shing vessel Captain M&M, which provided an approximate location of the vessel, and launched an Air Station Houston MH-65 Dolphin helicopter aircrew. Sector Houston-Galveston watchstanders launched a Station Sabine 45-foot Response Boat-Medium boat crew and sent out an urgent marine information broadcast with the vessel’s location.