10


Issue 5 2021 - FBJNA


///GULF COAST PORTS


Current cargo volumes are slightly down at Port of Corpus Christi in part to the “Texas Freeze” power crisis earlier in the year. (Port of Corpus Christi photo.)


By Alexandra Walsh


Despite a global pandemic, and perhaps because of


it, ports along the US Gulf Coast uniformly report steady and increased cargo. In large part, these volumes are driven by increases in Asian services and Asian imports coming through the ports. Rising Gulf Coast cargo growth is also driving port infrastructure improvements to accommodate more and bigger vessels and more cargo capacity.


Texas


Port of Brownsville. Cargo volumes continue to be steady compared to last year at the Port of Brownsville, with the port moving a record 11.6 million short tons of cargo in 2020. “New to the mix of


commodities is a cross gulf


container-on-barge service connecting Port of


Brownsville with Port Tampa Bay,”


Director


says Tony Rodriguez, of


Cargo began in August Services


and FTZ Administrator. “The service


2020, and as of May of this year, it had moved more than 20,000 TEUs of commodity home goods such as electrical appliances, tile and Mexican beverages. “ The port has experienced a small decrease in liquid bulk commodities. Breakbulk commodities (steel, coils, minerals) remained steady or increased. Of particular note is an increase in scrap metal, primarily from the port’s three ship recycling facilities, International Shipbreaking Ltd, SteelCoast and All Star Metals. “The Port of Brownsville


captures about 85% of the US Navy and MARAD ship recycling business,” adds


Rodriguez. “These three companies have been considerably busy receiving US Navy, MARAD and private vessels in 2020, and also so far this year.” In 2020, the port acquired new mobile


two harbor


cranes to expand cargo- handling capabilities. “They are equipped with an advance mobile harbor crane drive technology that meets EPA Tier 4f emission standards, helping the port reduce its environmental footprint,” adds Rodriguez. Construction of the South Connector


Port Road is


currently 50% complete. “The new access road will provide direct connectivity to the Veterans International Bridge facilitating the movement of cargo to Mexico via truck and assist in the flow of cargo


11 >>


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24