On October 22, the Port Commission of the Port of Houston Authority convened for its regular monthly meeting. Chairman Ric Campo opened the session by praising staff and industry partners for their exceptional efforts during and after the recent strike from October 1 to 3, which was related to contract negotiations between the International Longshoremen’s Association (ILA) and the United States Maritime Alliance (USMX). Remarkably, Port Houston’s container operations rebounded to normal levels within a week, countering national media predictions of prolonged disruptions. Campo expressed his pride in the team’s commitment during this uncertain period, stating, “The team worked together to plan, communicate, and execute our strategies, enabling a quick return to normal operations.”
Updates on the Houston Ship Channel Expansion, known as Project 11, revealed the successful completion of its fifth contract, achieved on budget and six weeks ahead of schedule. Weeks Marine is set to complete hydraulic dredging in Segment 1B (from Redfish to Bayport) this November, enhancing the ship channel’s width through Galveston Bay to the Bayport Ship Channel.
The significance of Project 11 was further emphasized by an operational update highlighting the recent handling of the largest container vessel at Port Houston. On September 24, the 11,356 TEU CMA CGM Cassiopeia docked at Bayport, facilitating 7,327 moves over two days—an impressive average of nearly 31 moves per hour. This achievement is anticipated to pave the way for 15,000 TEU vessel calls at Houston later this year.
In his report, CEO Charlie Jenkins discussed Port Houston’s testimony at a recent Texas House Transportation Committee meeting, which focused on state funding from the last legislative session, the returns on this investment, and the status of ongoing projects. Port Houston received $36 million from the Texas Department of Transportation Maritime Infrastructure Program for the Wharfs 4 and 5 project at Barbours Cut Terminal, which is progressing well and is expected to be completed by January 2026. Jenkins stated, “When the State of Texas invests in our seaports, we deliver.”
On the sustainability front, Port Houston was honored with the North American Marine Environment Protection Association’s 2024 Port Award for its proactive measures to protect marine health, particularly regarding Project 11, its commitment to ES2G, and its overall stewardship practices. The Port Commission continued its sustainability initiatives by authorizing a contract to purchase twenty clean-diesel tier-4 engine yard tractors for both Barbours Cut Terminal and Bayport Container Terminal.
Chairman Campo also reported on a successful community hiring fair recently held in partnership with SER Jobs, Harris County Precinct 2, and the East End Chamber of Commerce. The event drew significant attendance from industry partners and job seekers, supported by Port Houston staff volunteers. Campo emphasized the importance of such initiatives, stating, “This is an important aspect of the work we do – I always say it’s about jobs.”
Additionally, Port Houston recently announced that it has been officially certified by Great Place to Work® following a positive employee survey, recognizing its commitment to fostering a supportive workplace culture.
Looking ahead, Port Houston is set to host the Houston International Maritime Conference (HIMC 2024) from November 6-8, 2024. This third annual event will feature prominent industry leaders and cover various topics, including the state of the ship channel, energy, container and general cargo international waterborne trades, economic impact, workforce development, and sustainability.
During the holiday season, Port Houston will also hold a free Community Resource Fair on December 6 at Channelview High School’s CTE Center, offering the public free health screenings, food resources, entertainment, and more, with no registration required.
The next Port Commission meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, November 12, 2024, which will focus on the annual budget meeting and workshop.