SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION
GULF COAST TRADE AND LOGISTICS
Additionally , Port Houston recently completed the first half of Project 11 — an initiative to widen the Houston Ship Channel — which will allow an additional 1,400 vessels to call the port each year . This venture parallels the installation of three new cranes at Bayport Container Terminal , with another eight cranes planned for a new berth .
“ We have nearly $ 2 billion in capital projects planned over the next five years to keep us moving forward , ensuring we are serving our region and the customers that depend on us ,” Moseley said .
In November , Port Houston received a $ 25 million grant from the US Department of Transportation ’ s Maritime Administration Port Infrastructure Development Program . These funds will be used to strengthen grain export efficiency , lower emissions and update stormwater management in the community .
“ This federal grant is more than an investment in our infrastructure — it ’ s an investment in our future ,” Port Houston CEO Charlie Jenkins noted in December . “ It equips Port Houston to grow responsibly and meet global trade demands , and at the same time provide greater value to our community . It ’ s a win all around .”
Port Tampa Bay is also making aggressive investments to add capacity to stay ahead of the curve , Alfonso said .
Along with its terminal operating partner Ports America , the port added three ship-to-shore gantry cranes for a total of five , with plans to acquire two more . In addition , a new gate system with six inbound lanes and three outbound lanes was recently completed . The system features optical character recognition and weigh-in motion scales . Expansion of paved storage for a total of 100 acres is nearing completion , and construction is set to begin on a third deep-water berth .
Plans are also underway for a new ondock , rail-served transload warehouse and a deepening project with aims to increase channel depth from 43 feet to 47 feet over the next few years , Alfonso added .
Port Freeport is making enhancements to its seaport . Various infrastructure projects , valued at over $ 325 million , are currently in progress .
To increase transloading capabilities , a new 80,000-square-foot refrigerated , cross-dock warehouse is anticipated to be completed in March .
The Freeport Harbor Channel
Improvement Project — set to deepen and broaden the channel from 51 feet to 56 feet mean lower low water — is expected to be finished in its entirety this year , just in time for the port ’ s 100th anniversary .
“ It ’ s a great way to celebrate ,” Saathoff said . “ Giving a completed project back to the community to start off the next 100 years .” n
email : karen . robes @ gmail . com www . joc . com February 3 , 2025 | Journal of Commerce 57