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Manufacturers Invest $35 Billion Along Houston Ship Channel

By Company Representative on January 23, 2013

In her introduction to the Port Commission of the Port of Houston Authority at its regular monthly meeting Tuesday, new Port Commission Chairman Janiece Longoria underscored the importance of collective leadership and working together for the greater good.

Attorney Longoria is making history as the first woman to chair the Port Commission. Participating in the meeting were two new port commissioners, John D. Kennedy and Dean Corgey.

At the meeting, ILA president Clyde Fitzgerald gave a brief update to the Port Commission on contract negotiations between the United States Maritime Alliance and the International Longshoremen’s Association. He was confident of an agreement by February 6.

Houston Port Bureau president Bill Diehl gave a presentation on the Houston Port Bureau Capital Development and Maintenance Survey. Results indicated that manufacturers along the Houston Ship Channel have committed to invest an estimated US$35 billion into construction and maintenance over 2012-2015 on projects.

In his monthly report, Executive Director Len Waterworth said that total tonnage at Port Authority facilities (excluding bulk cargo associated with leased locations) was flat to last year at 2.2 million tons while year-to-date tonnage of 29 million tons shows growth of 1.8 million tons or 7 percent. This growth has been fueled primarily by steel, which for the year has increased by 1.1 million tons or 26 percent, compared to last year.