Port Houston Invests $450 Million To Expand

The Port Commission of the Port of Houston Authority met in a special session today and awarded two of the organization's largest contracts in its history.

Photo Insert: A ferry along the Houston Ship Channel

The Commission approved the staff recommendation to award contracts totaling $430 million to Weeks Marine and Curtin Maritime Corporation to complete the remaining Galveston Bay segments of the Houston Ship Channel expansion project.

“It’s an exciting day for Port Houston and the entire region and the millions of people who rely on the Houston Ship Channel for their livelihood and to bring them essential goods,” Chairman Ric Campo said.

Weeks Marine and Curtin Maritime Corporation were recommended by Port Houston staff because they provided the best value in terms of cost, schedule, environmental components, and inclusion of Small, Minority, and Woman-owned Business Enterprises (S/MWBE).

“The teams recommended were the top proposers in all of these areas – best schedules, lowest costs and estimated NOx emissions, and most S/MWBE inclusion,” Executive Director Roger Guenther said in his report.

Almost 32% of the contracts will be awarded to S/MWBE firms, demonstrating Port Houston's commitment to business equity.

The port authority also thanked everyone who contributed to the historic collaboration, notably the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) and the Houston Pilots.

The Houston Ship Channel is the busiest waterway in the country, according to the USACE. Port Houston's eight public terminals and more than 200 commercial facilities generate nearly $802 billion in yearly economic activity and support more than 2.1 million jobs in the United States.

This project is now 82 percent financed, with efforts to get the remaining federal monies continuing. According to the USACE report, this expansion project will add more than $133 million in yearly economic value to the country once completed.

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