HOUSTON, June 23, 2015 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Building on a record year, during the first five months of 2015, the Port of Houston Authority handled more than 16 million tons of cargo, an increase of 9 percent compared to the same period last year. Additionally, activity at the Bayport and Barbours Cut terminals continues to grow at an accelerated pace, with loaded container units increasing 23 percent versus May 2014.
Reporting today at the regular monthly meeting of the Port Commission of the Port of Houston Authority, Executive Director Roger Guenther also highlighted $66 million in cash flow generated through May, a 47 percent increase from the same period last year. "We will continue to leverage these funds as we redevelop and recapitalize our infrastructure, to keep up with the growing demand for goods and services in our region," Guenther stated.
Guenther moved on to address several of these Port Authority infrastructure projects. He noted that work to deepen and widen the Barbours Cut channel was expected to be complete at the end of July. Guenther highlighted a design contract on the agenda for work at Barbours Cut Container Terminal Wharf No. 2, which also addressed issues deemed critical for safe navigation of the larger container ships that will load and unload where the terminal's four new cranes are located.
The Port Authority once again demonstrated its readiness, this time in terms of storm preparedness. Guenther highlighted a news article which reported that Port Authority operations were "largely unfazed" by recent inclement weather in the region. He commended the operations and emergency management teams and underscored that the Port Authority is ready for any situation.
State Representative Wayne Smith appeared before the Port Commission to present H.R. 2499, a resolution in memory of former Port Commission Chairman Jim Edmonds. Port Commission Chairman Janiece Longoria recognized Representative Smith as well as the legislators from the Port of Houston region for their hard work in this session, which included attention to important transportation funding matters.
Finally, Chairman Longoria congratulated staff as the Port Authority again achieved a Platinum level award from the Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts, as part of its Leadership Circle Program recognizing local governments across Texas that meet a high standard for financial transparency. Platinum level is the highest ranking an organization can achieve.
About the Port of Houston Authority
For more than 100 years, the Port of Houston Authority has owned or operated the public cargo-handling facilities of the Port of Houston – the nation's largest port for foreign waterborne tonnage. The port is an economic engine for the Houston region, the state of Texas and the nation. It supports the creation of more than one million statewide jobs and more than 2.1 million nationwide jobs, and the generation of economic activity totaling more than $178.5 billion in Texas and $499 billion across the nation. For more information, visit the Port Authority website at: www.portofhouston.com
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