Port of Houston Authority News
“We fully expect to top last year’s container volume with another record year in 2016,” reported Port of Houston Authority Executive Director Roger Guenther to the Port Commission during its meeting recently. The Port Authority has handled more than 1.6 million TEU through its container terminals to date this year, and it expects to maintain “strong growth” through the remainder of the year. All told, the Port Authority’s general cargo and container terminals handled more than 26 million tons of cargo through September.
The Port Commission also acted on agenda items that support the Port Authority’s continued growth, increased cargo volumes, and diverse business base. Of special note is the award of a $4 million gate operating and optical character recognition project at Bayport and Barbours Cut Container Terminals, to optimize and modernize the truck gate interchange process and enhance the exceptional customer service levels at each terminal.
Port Commission Chairman Janiece Longoria announced that the Government Finance Officers Association had awarded the Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting to the Port Authority for the 42nd consecutive year. This award is the highest form of recognition in the area of government accounting and financial reporting, and represents a significant accomplishment by a government agency and its management.
Chairman Longoria also reported that the Port Authority “made history again” in support of its strategic objective of environmental leadership: it is the first public port in the world to meet the new and more rigorous requirements of the ISO 14001:2015 standard.
Chairman Longoria also acknowledged the Port Authority’s people: its Emergency Management team and Fire Department shared accolades for quick actions and response following a recent fuel spill and fire, and Port Authority Police Sergeant Dwight Gaines was recognized for his life-saving rescue of the victim of a recent automobile accident.
Captain Peter Martin, Sector Commander, U.S. Coast Guard Sector Houston-Galveston, making his first appearance before the Port Commission as Captain of the Port of Houston, also commended the work of the Port Authority fire-fighting crew.
About the Port of Houston Authority
For more than 100 years, the Port of Houston Authority has owned and operated the public wharves and terminals of the Port of Houston – the nation’s largest port for foreign waterborne tonnage and an essential economic engine for the Houston region, the state of Texas, and the nation. It supports the creation of nearly 1.175 million jobs in Texas and 2.7 million jobs nationwide, and economic activity totaling almost $265 billion in Texas – 16 percent of Texas’ total gross domestic product – and more than $617 billion in economic impact across the nation. For more information, visit the Port Authority website at: www.portofhouston.com.
