Port Of Freeport News

Great Lakes Dredge & Dock Corporation, a U.S.-based dredging services giant said Thursday it had secured two major dredging contracts in Texas, worth $186.6 million in total.The contracts are for Freeport Harbor Channel Improvement Project, Dredging Reaches 1, 2, and 4 ($157.4 million) and Galveston Entrance Channel and Houston Ship Channel Dredging Project ($29.2 million)The Freeport Harbor Channel Improvement Project entails deepening the channel to authorized depths of 51 to 56 feet, which will make Port of Freeport the deepest port in Texas.

A tanker containing a cargo of Iranian gasoline confiscated by the United States arrived on Wednesday at a Texas port where it was preparing to discharge, according to a pilots group spokesperson.The Euroforce arrived off of Freeport, Texas, on Wednesday and had retained Texas Marine Agency, a Houston-based cargo agent, in preparation to offload its fuel, the spokesperson for Brazos Pilots Association said. Texas Marine referred inquiries to the U.S. Department of Justice.The United States government last month said it seized fuel from Iran-linked tankers that was bound for Venezuela, part of Washington's efforts to disrupt trade between Venezuela and Iran.The fuel was transferred to the Euroforce and Maersk Progress, two large tankers, according to data and sources.

Dutch heavy-lift firm Mammoet  has reached an agreement that will enable it to provide offshore wind services at the Port of Coeymans Marine Terminal, in New York.The collaboration allows Mammoet access to the port’s 400-acre marine terminal facility, which is owned and operated by Carver Companies , in Coeymans, New York, conveniently located along the Hudson River 100 miles North of NY City and 10 miles South of Albany, NY.Over the years, Mammoet has developed a relationship with the Port of Coeymans while utilizing the port during the execution of local projects such as the roll-off operation of a fully assembled HRSG module, and the Willis Avenue Bridge project just to name a few.With the agreement…

Baleària Caribbean has launches a new fast-transport service linking Fort Lauderdale (Florida) with the island of Bimini in the Bahamas. The fast ferry connecting these two ports has a 650-person capacity and a maximum speed of 38 knots—35 for service—with the journey taking just under two hours.With five weekly services programmed to Bimini (Monday, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday & Sunday), the number of connections could increase based on demand.The new faster ferry service from Port Everglades to Bimini replaces the previous service from the Port of Miami. Thus, Baleària Caribbean becomes the Resorts World Bimini official provider for both passengers and cargo.Adolfo Utor…

The Hapag-Lloyd containership "Yantian Express", has been burning in international waters off Canada’s east coast since Jan. 3, is now headed for the Port of Freeport in the Bahamas."The container fire that broke out on board the Yantian Express was largely contained and brought under control after one week by immediately launched fire-fighting efforts. Since then, the remaining salvage operations have made considerable progress," said a press release from the German-based cargo container shipping line."The responsible salvage master from the company Smit has decided to sail the Yantian Express to the Port of Freeport (Bahamas)," it added.Once there, the recovery and assessment efforts of the cargo can proceed in a safer environment.

Nico International informed that the new dry-docking and repair facility in Abu Dhabi Port Company’s Freeport has completed the first two months of successful operations and has carried out afloat and dry docking jobs on more than thirty vessels. The Dock is able to accommodate vessels up to 2,000 tons and 80m LOA while wet berth space is available up to 400m. This facility confirms Nico International’s strong reputation in the region as a professional service provider to the marine sector. In addition to that, the Ship Repair Unit also operates a large facility in Abu Dhabi Industrial Area with the capability of Docking Barges up to 130m LOA and managing major conversions jobs.

Port industry veteran Don Allee will assume control of the Port’s Cruise and Tourism Division in January, following the retirement of current Director J. Robert Jumonville. Jumonville, who will retire in January after 25 years at the Port, oversaw the planning and construction of all three Julia St. Cruise Terminals, including the present consolidation of the two terminals into one modern terminal completed in 2011. Jumonville was also instrumental in the design and construction of the Erato Street Cruise Terminal and Parking Garage Complex…

Conrad Industries, Inc. has signed two contracts for construction of two 98-ft., Z-Tech 7500 Class Terminal/Escort Tugs with Bay-Houston Towing Co.and Suderman & Young Towing Company, L.P. These ABS -classed tugs will provide harbor tug services for LNG vessels calling at the Freeport LNG terminal which is currently under construction in the Port of Freeport, Texas. G&H Towing Company of Galveston, Texas will operate the two tugboats. Johnny Conrad, President and CEO said "We are excited to add Bay- Houston and Suderman & Young as customers. These two new contracts are scheduled to be constructed at our Orange Shipbuilding facility which has constructed sixty-five tugs and towboats since 1974. With these additions, our current backlog is at a record high of approximately $93m.”

Bay-Houston Towing Co., Suderman & Young Towing Co. LP, and Moran Towing Corporation are pleased to announce they have jointly contracted with the ConocoPhillips Company to provide harbor tug services for LNG vessels calling at the Freeport LNG terminal, currently under construction in the Port of Freeport, Texas. Bay-Houston and Suderman & Young will each provide one 6300 hp Z-Tech tractor tug while Moran Towing Corp. will provide a 5100 hp ASD tractor tug. ABS Escort Service; and ABS Fire Fighting Vessel Class 1. Galveston, Texas will operate the three tugboats. The tugs will deliver a combined bollard pull in excess of 235 short tons. The Z-Techs are powered by two Caterpillar 3516C HD engines providing 6300 hp (4700 kw). Schottel Model SRP 1520 Z-drives.

The U.S. Coast Guard issued a Press Release updating the status of waterways affected by Hurricane Rita. The port of Freeport is open for all vessel traffic. The Gulf Intracoastal Waterway is open to tug and barge traffic between the Colorado Locks and the Calcasieu Locks. The port of Galveston and the Galveston Channel are restricted to vessels with drafts of 35 feet or less and daylight transits only. The port of Texas City and the Texas City Channel are restricted to vessels with drafts of 35 feet or less and daylight transits only. Barbours Cut is restricted to vessels with drafts of 35 feet or less and daylight transits only. Bayport and the Bayport Channel are restricted to vessels with drafts of 35 feet or less and daylight transits only.