Corps Clears Bayport Channel Dredging Project

Port of Houston Authority’s Executive Director Roger Guenther has confirmed that dredging of the Bayport channel has received a ‘green light’ from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

During the regular monthly meeting of the Port Commission of the Port of Houston Authority, Guenther noted that PHA operating revenues in August 2014 have again exceeded $24 million, due to the robust cargo growth. With post-Panamax ships already calling Houston, Guenther commended the Houston Pilots.

The Pilots have worked with container carriers and the Port Authority to prepare for the larger generation of vessels (9,000-plus TEU in capacity) that need to call Bayport and Barbours Cut very soon, he said. Guenther noted new dredging requests that have recently developed to safely accommodate these vessels.

“I am very pleased to announce that Bayport was just cleared for dredging by the Corps this week,” Guenther said. “This has been a tremendous effort by all parties involved to make sure we are ready to handle the larger ships needing to call our facilities.”

Dredging already is underway at the Barbours Cut Container Terminal and when completed later this year, work will begin at Bayport. The estimated $80 million project will deepen the channels from 40 feet to 45 feet to match the depth of the Houston Ship Channel.

Also on Tuesday, PHA signed a Memorandum of Friendship and Trade Cooperation with the Port of Rijeka, the largest port in Croatia. Vlado Mezak, Executive Director of the Port of Rijeka Authority, and Janiece Longoria, Chairman of the Port of Houston Authority Commission, signed the document.

“It is the intent to look for future opportunities to promote waterborne trade and economic development between the city of Houston and the country of Croatia via the Port of Rijeka,” the chairman said during the event.

[mappress]