 The Port of Galveston , also called Galveston <unk> , began as a trading post in 1825 . Today , the port has grown to 850 acres ( 3 @.@ 4 km2 ) of port facilities . The port is located on the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway , on the north side of Galveston Island , with some facilities on Pelican Island . The port has facilities to handle all types of cargo including containers , dry and liquid bulk , <unk> , Roll @-@ on / roll @-@ off , <unk> cargo and project cargoes . 
