BOSTCO Opening to Ease Houston Ship Channel Congestion

When Battleground Oil Specialty Terminal (BOSTCO) on the Houston Ship Channel starts operations in October, ship channel congestion is likely to be lessened.

BOSTCO will start operations in October 2013 with 2.84 million barrels of residual fuel oil and feedstock storage, about 40% of its earlier-announced 7.1 million-barrel capacity, report Platts, citing sources close to the project and Gulf Coast fuel oil traders.


The BOSTCO terminal will offer two ship docks and three barge docks. The ship dock will be able to accommodate ships with a beam of 168 feet and draft of 45 feet and displacement tonnage of 205,000 mt. The barge docks can load a total of 12 barges each having a maximum length of 300 feet and a draft of 12 feet, according the company's website.


Fuel oil blenders along the ship channel are eagerly awaiting BOSTCO's completion, which they say will open up more dock space and ease loading delays and costs.


Source: Platts