Port needs a big upgrade

News was prepared under the information support of Online Daily Newspaper on Hellenic and international Shipping "Hellenic Shipping News".

2 Sep 2010

The Port of Houston Authority needs to spend about $2 billion in the next decade to handle increased trade from Asia, take advantage of the Panama Canal expansion and rehabilitate aging facilities, managers told port commissioners Port executives detailed their suggestions for the direction the organization should take in the next decade — everything from new cranes to new terminals. Board members will mull over those suggestions before discussing them on Sept. 28.
"There are going to be some tough choices you as commissioners are going to have to make," CEO Alec Dreyer said. "The big growth coming to Houston will require big investments."
He likened some of the decisions commissioners will confront to those their predecessors made to create the Houston Ship Channel, a 51-mile waterway built in 1914.
Staff members expect that the Panama Canal expansion, which will be complete in 2014, will bring larger ships to the port. Many of those will hail from Asia. They also expect Asian economic growth will bring more cargo to Houston's docks.
Deepening the Ship Channel to 45 feet from 40 feet is essential, so fully laden large ships can call at the port's terminals. Today, some larger ships must carry less cargo because the channel is not deep enough.
Getting enough funding simply to maintain depth is a challenge because silt routinely accumulates at the bottom of the channel. Annually, port officials and legislators try to persuade Congress to pay more money for dredging projects by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.
This year, port officials estimated the dredging will cost $36 million, but Congress will likely only authorize $29 million.
"The channel is the backbone of our maritime economy," said Charlie Jenkins, vice president of strategic planning for the port.
Port leaders also suggested upgrading the equipment and wharf at the Barbours Cut Container Terminal, which was completed in the 1990s.
"Many of the terminal's assets are reaching the end of their useful life," said Roger Guenther, vice president of container terminals.
The Turning Basin's aging facilities also need upgrades, including more wharf space and a climate-controlled shed for specialty steel, officials said.

Source: Houston Chronicle