The Port of Houston Authority has agreed to accelerate the widening of the Houston Ship Channel, a project that will expand the busiest waterway in the US.
Working in partnership with the US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) and other representatives of the federal government to gain authorization, Houston’s initiative will be the eleventh widening and deepening of the channel in its history.
According to a statement, the Port of Houston Authority was briefed on measures that will ensure the widening of Galveston Bay becomes part of the next Houston dredging project.
Sean Strawbridge, Corpus Christi, Texas, discusses how America's energy is being moved in a recent Port Technology technical paper
The Houston port commission also invited staff to deliver proposals as to how the authority and other industry bodies could support widening plans.
In addition to this, a resolution was adopted to maximize the levels of two-way traffic currently being accommodated by the Houston Ship Channel, especially with the waterway undergoing significant growth.
#PortofChoice: Port Houston is on a #growth path and is essential to the lifeblood of our country, shares Matt Fuhrman, CEO of Core Group Resources. With the port's location on the U.S. Gulf Coast, our all-water services connect to international #markets. pic.twitter.com/fsaNI7NhY5
— Port Houston (@Port_Houston) April 12, 2019
The expansion of the Panama Canal, an increase in vessel sizes, and the region’s rising population has produced a record level of container demand, further necessitating the expansion of the local shipping channel.
A US$500,000 traffic efficiency group, which will meet with the US Coast Guard Houston Area Vessel Traffic Service and other stakeholders on a regular basis, has been budgeted for the improved waterway.
The goal of this advisory committee is to share data and insights which will help to optimize traffic flow on the channel, responding to continued requests for larger vessels to serve the container market in this region.
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