Authorities at the Port of Corpus Christi in Texas say they expect the expansion of the Panama Canal by 2015 to boost the volume of containerised cargo at the port.
Robert West, a consultant in trade transportation echoed the position of port officials in saying that the expansion could bring more vessels to the port.
Speaking at the World Affairs Council held at the Congressman Solomon Ortiz International Centre, Mr West noted that although the canal expansion will not bring the largest ships to the port, it will likely increase the number of smaller vessels calls en route to US markets, reports The Corpus Christi Caller-Times.
John LaRue, the port's executive director, said he is counting on an increase of 5,000-TEU ship calls at the port, which plans to develop the La Quinta Trade Gateway Container Terminal by 2011
"We are the closest port along the Gulf (of Mexico) from the canal, and if you don't put us on the map, we won't be part of the discussion, debate and dialogue," port commissioner chairman Ruben Bonilla said.
"Why would you interrupt the chain of supply of cargo headed to America's bread basket by shipping to the Caribbean?"
Mr West said that given the high oil prices, it makes more sense for shippers to fill their vessels with commodities headed to several countries on one ship, reaching one port, unloading and sending goods to individual countries on small, feeder ships.
"If at 80 per cent capacity a shipper breaks even and at 83 per cent he makes a lot of money, then he would lose a lot of money at 77 per cent," Mr West said. "Loading a ship to a higher percentage of capacity is key in the shipping business."
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