HOUSTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The Port Commission of the Port of Houston Authority met Thursday at its regular monthly meeting and reported out that Port Houston saw an incredible 19% growth in cargo tonnage for January 2022.
Port Chairman Ric Campo kicked off the meeting by recognizing the re-appointments of three Port Commissioners to new two-year terms. Commissioner Stephen DonCarlos was reappointed by the Harris County Mayors and Councils Association in December, Cheryl Creuzot by the Houston City Council in early February, and Commissioner Wendy Montoya Cloonan last week, by Harris County Commissioners Court.
During the February meeting, Chairman Campo commemorated Black History Month in his opening remarks, adding that “diversity is a journey, not a destination.” He continued, “Black History Month is important at Port Houston because it honors the legacy and influence of Black people in our country, our region and our own port team.”
He celebrated the 1978 appointment of Howard J. Middleton Jr. as the first Black man named to the Port Commission, and Cheryl Creuzot as the first Black woman appointed to the Port Commission, in 2020.
On the infrastructure front, Chairman Campo announced that work on Project 11’s Segment 1A, using the cleanest dredge equipment ever seen in the Houston Ship Channel, was expected to begin at the end of March. The vessels are being specially outfitted for 48% improvement over Tier 3 dredge equipment standards.
In his staff report, Executive Director Roger Guenther underscored the historic cargo growth at Port Houston, citing the 15% increase in 2021. Guenther elaborated, “We have been able to do this with the incredible work of our port employees, supply chain partners, and team.”
Port Commissioner Stephen DonCarlos added his own appreciation: “I want to commend all of the port people who have been responsible for helping us get this cargo on and off the docks. They have done a tremendous job in difficult times, and I want to commend them for that.”
During the meeting, actions taken by the commission continued to support Port Houston’s strategic goals: People, Infrastructure, Partnerships, and Stewardship. Highlights included approval of agreements to design the rehabilitation of wharves at Barbours Cut container terminal and reconstruction of 87 acres of its container yards. Additionally, the commission approved a Memorandum of Agreement with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers for maintenance dredging of docks at the Turning Basin general cargo terminal.
The Commission also authorized funding to improve public trails in the City of Galena Park, as part of the Port Houston’s East Harris County parks and greenspace initiative, and Chief People Officer Jessica Shaver highlighted that Port Houston was opening the 2022 Community Grants Program. March 4th is the deadline to submit a letter of interest to participate in the program, with $325,000 of funding for this cycle.
Finally, the Port Commission named Shannon Williams as Port Houston’s new Chief Audit Executive. Her work will include coordinating operational, financial, and compliance audits.
The next regular Port Commission meeting is scheduled for Monday, March 21.
About Port Houston
For more than 100 years, Port Houston has owned and operated the public wharves and terminals along the Houston Ship Channel, including the area’s largest breakbulk facility and two of the most efficient and fastest-growing container terminals in the country. Port Houston is the advocate and a strategic leader for the Channel. The Houston Ship Channel complex and its more than 200 public and private terminals, collectively known as the Port of Houston, is the nation’s largest port for waterborne tonnage and an essential economic engine for the Houston region, the state of Texas, and the U.S. The Port of Houston supports the creation of nearly 1.35 million jobs in Texas and 3.2 million jobs nationwide, and economic activity totaling $339 billion in Texas – 20.6 percent of Texas’ total gross domestic product (GDP) – and $801.9 billion in economic impact across the nation. For more information, visit the website at www.PortHouston.com.
