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Issue 4 2020 - FBJNA Container-on-barge service is big at the Port of New Orleans. (NOLA photo.)


///GULF COAST PORTS


Gulf Ports face Challenges under COVID-19 yet remain Resilient


By Karen E. Thuermer


The US seaports found within the Gulf of Mexico are known for carrying much of the weight of the nation. Not only are these ports known for their business within the energy sector; many are key to trade related to the Mississippi River as well as Latin America, especially Mexico. Here’s FBJNA’s look at recent activity at some of these ports, including the impact of COVID-19.


Port Houston (TX)


Monthly volume at Port Houston showed a decline in April when the port handled 221,540 TEUs, 12% down from April 2019. For January-April, the port handled 994,627 TEUs, which is 5% more than the same period of 2019. Total tonnage at Port


Houston’s public facilities was down 10% in April at 3,766,756 short tons, a decrease of 3% year-to-date. The port handled 3,910 auto units in April, 41% less than April 2019, and down 31% for the first four months as compared to the same period last year. Steel, primarily used


in the energy industry, is down 50% year-to-date at 784,733 short tons through the end of April, a reflection of today’s turmoil in the oil and gas sector. Executive Director Roger reports


Guenther that the


port had 26 announced blank sailings this year including seven for the month of June. “It’s yet to be seen what July will look like, but hopefully we’ll see some improvement into the summer,” he said. Meanwhile, landside


and waterside expansion projects have continued. In April, the Galveston District of


Corpus Christi hit an all-time tonnage record. “While we had a robust first quarter, our numbers dropped in April,” says a spokesperson. “During the first quarter, oil held up best.” For the end of March 2020,


the port had 584 arrivals. With a slowdown in drilling,


reduction of rig counts in the Permian Basin and Eagle Ford, officials expect a reduction in the amount of crude volumes flowing to the port. USACE


awarded a $97.9 the U.S. Army Corps of


Engineers (USACE) received a signed Chief’s Report for the proposed Houston Ship Channel Expansion Project. Once approved by Congress and signed by the President, the Houston Ship Channel expansion becomes a federal project, and can move on to design and construction.


Port of Corpus Christi (TX)


During 1Q 2020, the Port of


million construction contract in early April to complete the second phase of the four phase Corpus Christi Ship Channel Improvement Project. The project increases the channel depth from -47 feet Mean Lower Low Water (MLLW) to -54 ſt MLLW and widens the channel to 530 feet with an additional 400 feet of barge shelves. This second contract award the


follows completion of


Contract 1, completed in March 2020.


Port of Brownsville (TX) Preliminary numbers at the


Port of Brownsville indicate that Q1 2020 set a record for tonnage. “The port has seen an increase of activity in break- bulk, bulk mineral, steel and other metals and wind- mill projects,” reports Tony Rodriguez, Director of Cargo Services & FTZ Administrator. Vessel activity at the port was very good during 1Q 2020.


“The port continues to be busy with 37 vessel calls received during the month of April and 27 vessels for May (as of May 20),” he says. “The port has seen a steady flow of rail traffic posting record numbers for Q1 with no fewer than 3,700 railcar movements per month.” Additionally, a recent study by Moody’s


Investors


Service, ranked the port third among US ports for strong financial resilience. Such financial stability allows the Port of Brownsville to continue making significant infrastructure investments. In January, the port received


two new mobile harbor cranes to help with


growing 15 >>


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