Port Authority Executive Director Roger Guenther announced that a $68 million contract was executed with Orion Marine Group for the dredging of the channels in front of the Bayport and Barbours Cut container terminals. Orion was awarded the contract in March after a competitive bidding process.
The dredging, which will take both channels from 40 to 45 feet to match the depth of the Houston Ship Channel, is expected to begin soon and be completed next year. Channels will also be widened or realigned by up to 100 feet to better accommodate larger ships that are expected to call.
Port Commission Chairman Janiece Longoria noted that the permits for the dredging projects were received from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers recently, and she acknowledged the remarkable cooperative effort between the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the Port Authority to complete the complicated process in an expedited manner allowing the Port Authority to get these projects underway and completed in advance of the opening of the Panama Canal expansion.
In other business, Guenther reported that operating revenue is up 5 percent through April of this year compared to last year, topping $20 million for the month, buoyed by increases in bulk cargo and steel. Monthly statistics showed total bulk cargo tonnage is up 36 percent, while steel is up by 8 percent so far during 2014.
"It continues to look very good for the year," Guenther said. "Our Financial results continue to be strong as April was another solid month. We are excited about this year."