Two Memoranda of Agreement with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers for maintenance dredging were approved by the port commission of the Port of Houston Authority at its March 26 meeting, including up to $550,000 for maintenance dredging of Barbours Cut Terminal berths and up to $400,000 for maintenance dredging for Bayport Terminal berths. 

Executive Director Len Waterworth said that the port authority realized substantial savings for each contract by combining its requirements with channel maintenance and using the Corps contracts for these projects.

The port commission also approved a $70,000 contract for the rehabilitation of electric distribution lines at Bayport Terminal. Mr. Waterworth said that the availability of these lines is important for future development and having the option for employment of electric dredges, which can be quieter than diesel-powered hydraulic dredges.

In his monthly report, Mr. Waterworth said that cargo throughput at port authority facilities (excluding bulk cargo associated with leased locations) increased by 158,000 tons or 7 percent during February while year-to-date tonnage of 4.7 million tons declined 2 percent.

"Coming off a decline in January of 11 percent, the February tonnage figures illustrate a solid month of operations for the port,” he said.

The improvement in February comes largely from container tonnage, with an increase of 236,000 tons or 18 percent, offset by a decrease in steel. 

February operating revenues were $18 million, up by 1 percent over last year, driven mainly by container traffic growth.  Operating expenses increased by $1 million in February and by $1.6 million for the year to date, largely due to increased container volumes. For the year, the port authority has earned $12.6 million in net income, an increase from last year of 109 percent.

"The port authority’s net funds available for capital expansion grew by $7 million to $273 million with the positive results of operations for February,” he said.