Port Houston Closes Project 11, Starts Its Own Study for a Project 12 Channel Deepening
With Project 11 complete, Port Houston will study portions of a potential Project 12 to deepen the Houston Ship Channel, the port's CEO told commissioners in October - as the channel region's foreign cargo rose 18 percent year over year in August and the Houston International Maritime Conference opens November 2.
HOUSTON - One channel project is finished, and the next one is already on the drawing board. Port Houston's October 21 commission meeting highlighted the completion of the Port-led Project 11, early planning for a potential Project 12 channel expansion, and progress on the proposed Barbours Cut North Expansion Project, the port said in its meeting report.
CEO Charlie Jenkins announced Port Houston will move forward with its own study for portions of a potential Project 12, described as the next major improvement to deepen the Houston Ship Channel. The port also continues to evaluate options to accommodate the additional container capacity the region is projected to need over the next decade.
The demand behind the planning showed in the port's latest reported trade figures: the Houston Ship Channel region handled 22.3 million tons of foreign cargo in August, up 18 percent year over year, with exports increasing 24 percent, according to the port's monthly trade and market report released October 21.
The industry gathers in Houston this week: the Houston International Maritime Conference runs November 2-5 and will bring Panama Canal Administrator Ilya Espino de Marotta and other industry experts to the city. The Port Commission meets next on Tuesday, November 10.
