Port Freeport News

Port Freeport, located outside of Houston, is now fitted with a NOAA system that improves safe and efficient marine navigation. The technology is part of a nationwide network called Physical Oceanographic Real-Time System, or PORTS.Freeport PORTS is the 38th system in this network of precision marine navigation sensors. The integrated series of sensors track oceanographic and meteorological conditions as they unfold around the port. This will increase the navigation safety of vessels entering and exiting Port Freeport…

Great Lakes Dredge & Dock Corporation has secured several major dredging awards totaling $118.8 million, the U.S.' largest dredging services provider announced on Wednesday.The awarded deepening, coastal protection, and maintenance dredging work includes projects in South Carolina, North Carolina, Texas, Mississippi, Louisiana and New York.The Post 45 Contract 4 Charleston Lower Harbor New Work Dredging Project (Capital, S.C., $52.9 million) consists of maintenance and new work dredging of material from the Charleston Lower Harbor to Hugh Leatherman Terminal.

Louisiana-based shipbuilder Metal Shark has delivered a custom welded-aluminum pilot boat to the Brazos Pilots Association in Freeport, Texas.The new vessel, “Brazos Pilot,” is a 64’ x 19’ Defiant-class monohull pilot boat designed by Metal Shark and built at the company’s Franklin, Louisiana shipyard. This new pilot boat is intended to replace the pilots’ smaller, single-engine 40’ pilot boat, improving safety for crews while enhancing service to operators and providing around…

Brazos Pilot Association President Captain Billy Burns said its newest boat, Brazos Pilot, is a vessel tailored to fit the job and provide the pilot association with performance dependability and the safety systems integration to fulfill their maritime mission.The 64 x 19-ft. Defiant-class mono-hull pilot boat arrived two weeks ago and will be christened at a ceremony on Jan. 31. It was designed by Metal Shark and built at the company’s Franklin, La. shipyard. The $2.5 million new pilot boat is intended to replace the pilots’ smaller pilot boat…

A new class of post-Panamax (PPX) vessel made its first visit to Port Canaveral, marking the second time this year a vehicle carrier megaship of this size has called on the port. Launched in 2017, the MV Donington PPX roll-on/roll-off (Ro/Ro) vessel arrived at Port Canaveral as part of its inaugural U.S. itinerary. With its 125-foot beam and capacity to transport over 7,400 vehicles, the Donington is Hoegh Autoliners’ largest Post-Panamax vessel to call on the port. The ship arrived at Port Canaveral, its second U.S. port of call after delivering vehicles to Port Freeport in Texas last week.

At the upcoming Breakbulk Americas Event in Houston, Mammoet will present its partnership with Port Freeport, Texas. With this partnership, Mammoet intends to take its factory-to-foundation service to the next level. Mammoet’s factory-to-foundation service aims to ensure that large and heavy construction components, often sourced from suppliers throughout the world, are transported from the manufacturer to their final destination according to plan. With the Freeport Terminal, Mammoet has added an accessible port to its global network of terminals.

Great Lakes Dredge & Dock Corporation (GLDD) says it has been awarded a a dredging contract valued at over $30 million to widen the entrance and jetty channels of the Freeport Ship Channel near Freeport, Texas. Approximately 4.5 miles of channel will be widened by 200 feet, enabling larger ships to safely navigate the 600 feet-wide channel. A portion of the dredged material is planned to be beneficially used to nourish the coastline in Quintana, TX. Work on the project is scheduled to commence in October 2014. GLDD explains that some of the largest petrochemical and plastics production complexes in the world are located at Port Freeport and are expected to benefit from the economic efficiencies that the wider channel will provide…

Port Freeport announced the arrival of their two Post Panamax Cranes. “The Gantry cranes departed from Shanghai, China on May 7th and arrived at Port Freeport on July 19th,” Executive Port Director/CEO Glenn Carlson said. The Zhen Hua 28, delivered the two 100-foot gauge container cranes completely erect for Port Freeport. Being approximately 80 feet wide each, both cranes will occupy a portion of Berth 7 at Velasco Terminal. They stand just less than 300 feet from the ground and can lift up to 75 tons. “This commitment from the Commissioners demonstrates that Port Freeport will make the financial investments to support the petrochemical industry in our region.

Executive Director Len Waterworth has  implemented a reorganization of the management structure of the Port of Houston Authority designed to enhance efficiencies, drive higher profitability and ensure greater accountability, consistent with the Port Authority's vision and mission. The reorganization shifts to a structure that is based on collaborative teams with specific operations. Waterworth, who was appointed to his post in April, has named a leadership team at the Deputy Executive Director level to lead the new operational divisions.

Bill Terry, Chairman of the Board of Commissioners of Port Freeport, announces the selection and appointment of Mr. Glenn Carlson as Executive Port Director and CEO. Chairman Terry noted that after several months of diligent searching and review of a number of excellent applicants, the Board reached a unanimous decision in the selection of the new Executive Port Director and Chief Executive Office for Port Freeport. Mr. Carlson has an extensive background in port operations and the transportation industry spanning over 37 years.

PARTNERSHIP FORMS AN ALLIANCE OF COOPERATION TO PROMOTE ECONOMIC GROWTH. In what is touted to be another one of a series of new agreements with U.S. ports, the Panama Canal Authority (ACP) and Port Freeport in Texas established a strategic alliance today with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU). The partnership aims to increase international trade and create new business by promoting the all-water-route between Asia and the Gulf of Mexico of the United States through Port Freeport via the Panama Canal. Intended to last for one year, the partnership is renewable upon request of both parties. Under the conditions of the MOU, the parties have agreed to undertake joint initiatives to stimulate economic growth.

The American Association of Port Authorities (AAPA), a trade group representing port authorities throughout the Western Hemisphere, has selected 22 seaports to be recognized for exemplary projects, programs and initiatives at its annual awards event later this summer. The awards, for achievements in facilities engineering, environmental improvement, information technology and communications, will be presented to winning ports at a Sept. 14 luncheon in conjunction with AAPA's 100th Annual Convention in Seattle (https://www.aapa2011.org/main.aspx), which runs Sept. 11-15. * the Port of Long Beach, winner of the 2011 Dan Maynard Communications Award for Overall Excellence, which is bestowed on the port earning the most award points in AAPA's Communications Awards Program competition.

The M/T Polar Discovery made its maiden voyage to Port Freeport on Wednesday, September 3. The Polar Discovery is classed by the American Bureau of Shipping (ABS) and joins two sister ships, Polar Endeavour and Polar Resolution, in the ConocoPhillips U.S. flag fleet carrying crude oil from Alaska to the West Coast and Hawaii. Port Freeport Chairman of the Board Thomas S. Perryman presented Captain Dan Ellison with a maiden voyage plaque after a vessel tour given by ConocoPhillips’ marine division. “We are committed to operating and maintaining the safest and most environmentally sound vessels available,” said Antonio Valdes, general manager of ConocoPhillips’ marine division. Endeavour Class vessels have double hulls with 10 ft.

Port Freeport offices have made the move to the Texas Gulf Bank building at 200 West Second St. in downtown Freeport, but this shift is just a temporary one. Eventually, at a yet-to-be-decided site, the Port offices will make the move to new permanent quarters with the most modern of amenities. The Port had simply outgrown its administration building, which has a history dating back as far as a half-century, according to Port Freeport Executive Director A.J. “Pete” Reixach, Jr. Thomas Perryman, chairman of the Brazos River Harbor Navigation District, which has jurisdiction over Port Freeport, said he is hopeful that his commission will approve the building of offices back on port property.

Representatives of Port Freeport will meet with a delegation of Congressional staffers and representatives from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to tour the Port and discuss the viability of the Freeport Harbor Improvement Project that includes the plan to deepen the federal channel up to 60 feet and widen it up to 600 feet. Thus far, Port Freeport has received wide-spread, bi-partisan support for this critical project from the Texas delegation as well as the Governor's office of Federal Affairs in Washington. At 60 feet, Port Freeport will be the deepest-draft port on the Gulf of Mexico. Project plans will also include the feasibility of widening the Port’s Jetty and Entrance Channel to accommodate larger vessels and two-way vessel traffic.

The dockwise vessel M.V. Mighty Servant I is currently docked and preparing its deck to load the oil rig MODU Ocean Rover. The M.V. Mighty Servant I, a semi-submersible heavy lift vessel, will shift to Port Freeport’s deep-berthing area and ballast down to a depth that will allow the rig to float onto the deck of the ship. The rig arrived on November 18th at 11:45 a.m. and moored next to the monopiles at the deep water berth. The vessel, MSI, was scheduled to shift into position on November 20, to load the rig. This process will take several hours and will be a very impressive sight. Executive Port Director, A.J. “Pete” Reixach Jr. said, “ Port Freeport dredged our deep berthing area to a depth of 70 ft. to allow this type of business.

CIBER, Inc. $2.3 million. port users. integrated solution. operation. will implement. the U.S. state, federal and private organizations. year. technologies," said Port Freeport's Security Manager Rick Benavidez. common operating picture. information provided by the system, too. Maritime Domain Awareness and waterside perimeter security.

FGH Engineered Products Group, the equipment segment of Friede Goldman Halter, Inc., announced that its AmClyde unit has signed new contracts in excess of $13.5 million with customers in Freeport, Texas and Abu Dhabi, U.A.E. "AmClyde is very pleased to receive these key orders from our long-standing customer NPCC (National Petroleum Construction Company) of Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates and our new customer Cabett Subsea Products, Inc. of Houston, Texas," said Dick Juelich, AmClyde President. AmClyde has a contract with NPCC to provide a significant operating increase of the lifting capacity and reach for their 2000-ton model 76 marine crane, originally built in 1973.