Port Houston Blog

Port Houston’s Maritime Education Outreach department participated in the Junior Achievement of Southeast Texas’ “JA Inspire” event December 7-8 at the George R. Brown Convention Center. More than 10,000 middle school students from the greater Houston region attended to learn about potential careers, experience, benefits and certifications available. Participating school districts included Deer Park, Galena Park, Houston, La Porte and Alief ISDs.

Port Houston is giving back this holiday season by collecting employee donations for the Houston International Seafarers’ Center, Inc. to support the "Shoeboxes for Seafarers" Program.

The Lone Star Harbor Safety Committee (LSHSC)’s Dredging and Marine Construction Subcommittee met at Port Houston’s Executive Building for their final meeting of 2016. The group is chaired by Port Houston Project Manager David Casebeer, who reported that the dredging of the Bayport Channel is scheduled to be completed in late December. Orion Marine Group is the dredging contractor on the project.

Port Houston’s Small Business and Maritime Education programs received the Our Great Region Excellence Award from the Houston-Galveston Area Council (H-GAC) Dec. 2. The award is the highest-level of recognition from the organization, which covers 13 surrounding counties, including Harris County.

Port Houston has negotiated a lease with Auto Warehousing Company (AWC) of Tacoma, Washington, for a new automotive terminal at Bayport, in the facility formerly used for cruise operations. The long-term lease of the RoRo terminal will allow AWC to discharge new vehicles and perform accessory work for an auto distribution business. The first ship, M/V Grande Sierra Leone, with the Grimaldi line and Euro-Mediterranean partnership, arrived Nov. 30.

Port Houston employees and their families celebrated the Thanksgiving holiday by volunteering their time and efforts at this year’s Operation Turkey event.

The Gulf Coast Chapter of the Western Dredging Association (WEDA) conducted its annual meeting Nov. 16 at the Hotel Galvez in Galveston, marking the first time the event has been held outside of New Orleans. The chapter represents the Gulf States of Texas, Alabama, Florida (West Coast), Georgia (Western), Louisiana and Mississippi. Over 180 industry professionals attended, including Port Houston’s channel development department.

The Houston Ship Channel Security District held its annual luncheon and directors meeting Nov. 8 at the Pasadena Convention Center. The organization, known for supporting and contributing to security projects in the Houston Port Region, represents over 225 chemical, refining and logistical service companies. The funds received through the District provided new boats, firefighting equipment, IT infrastructure, training and helicopter maintenance for the municipalities.