Ship channel expansion

The formal presentation of the Project Partnership Agreement (PPA) between the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) and the Port of Houston Authority (Port Houston) has taken place for the Houston Ship Channel’s widening and deepening programme, Project 11.

“Our port serves as the anchor for our Texas region,” said Roger Guenther, executive director of Port Houston. “It is a critical step to provide a wider, deeper channel that maintains two-way vessel traffic to more safely and efficiently deliver everyday goods and petrochemical products to and from the region.”

Key document

The PPA details the terms of the channel infrastructure expansion, and most significantly, permits the start of dredging the federal waterway. Project 11 is the 11th major improvement of the channel in its more than 100-year history.

The 52-mile-long Houston Ship Channel is a vital economic engine for the Houston region, the state of Texas, and the U.S. Last year, the USACE ranked it as the busiest port in the nation – the channel handles as much vessel traffic as the three largest US ports combined.

Once widened and deepened, the waterway will continue to help support and benefit more than 200 private and public facilities alongside it.

Project 11’s first dredge contract is expected to be awarded as early as this October.