HOUSTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Reporting to the Port Commission of the Port of Houston Authority, Executive Director Roger Guenther announced today the completion of maintenance dredging of the Bayport channel. The Bayport channel is accepted and will be maintained by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Corps) at a depth of 48.5 feet mean lower low water (MLLW). This completed work fully opens the Bayport Container Terminal to receive 45-foot draft vessels.
Bayport joins Barbours Cut to take full advantage of the Houston Ship Channel depth. Both terminals can now even more effectively support Port Houston as it generates economic activity and job creation in the region.
During his report, Mr. Guenther also announced that Barbours Cut recently established a new record for container lifts from one vessel: a total of 4,198 moves was completed working with the 5,000 TEU COSCO Boston. This bests the previous vessel record, 4,153 container lifts just set in March at the Bayport Container Terminal on the Maersk Atlanta.
Port Houston continues to perform well, handling more than 16 million tons of cargo for the year, an increase of 12 percent over last year. Mr. Guenther credited the increase in general cargo largely to the 15 percent growth in container volume, for a total through June of 1,023,159 twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs). Mr. Guenther said that the container increase in turn was driven by “loaded” containers, which increased by 17 percent compared to this time last year.
One of Port Houston’s strategic goals is investment in people, and in that spirit, Chairman Janiece Longoria began the Port Commission meeting by recognizing the contribution of Port Houston’s Small Business and Maritime Education team members. Working in conjunction with the Port of Houston Partners in Maritime Education program, these Port Houston staffers help young people fill a broad array of careers to meet the growing needs of the maritime industry.
Since the inception of Port Houston’s maritime education program in 2009, 1,209 local high school students have taken maritime classes, and in May, Port Houston commissioners helped celebrate five maritime graduation classes from four independent school districts.
Highlighting Port Houston’s investment in people and resources, Chairman Longoria took time during the meeting to recognize employees with over twenty years of service.
Chairman Longoria also welcomed the new U.S. Coast Guard Captain of the Port, Captain Kevin Oditt. Chairman Longoria highlighted Captain Oditt’s briefing earlier in the month, covering the Port of Houston’s local and national economic impact, as well safety, security, and emergency management along the Houston Ship Channel. His visit concluded with a tour of the Bayport container yard. Chairman Longoria emphasized that Port Houston’s work with the new captain helps to continue its strong partnership with the U.S. Coast Guard.
The Port Commission is scheduled to next meet on Tuesday, July 25 at 1:30pm.
About Port Houston
For more than 100 years, the port has owned and operated the public wharves and terminals of the Port of Houston – the nation’s largest port for foreign waterborne tonnage and an essential economic engine for the Houston region, the state of Texas, and the nation. It supports the creation of nearly 1.175 million jobs in Texas and 2.7 million jobs nationwide, and economic activity totaling almost $265 billion in Texas – 16 percent of Texas’ total gross domestic product – and more than $617 billion in economic impact across the nation. For more information, visit Port Houston’s website at: www.porthouston.com.
