The Gulf Ports Association of the Americas is a trade organization whose members include a variety of port authorities located on the Gulf Coast of the United States and of Mexico. Stretching from Manatee, Florida, to Progreso in the Mexican state of Yucatan, the GPAA member ports are dedicated to enhancing economic development and encouraging commerce. They serve both deepwater and shallow-draft public port facilities.
The importance of these public port facilities can be seen vividly in their economic impact to the local and national economy, including jobs generated by port activities. Gulf ports contribute over $50 billion annually to the U.S. economy and provide almost 750,000 jobs directly related to port activities.