Caption: Bipartisanship and collaboration were on full display at the Project 11 Dredge Kick-Off Celebration event on June 1st, with the Port Commission, and Congressional, State, and Local delegations, leading the way.

Partnership, progress, and potential were on full display at the Port’s Project 11 Dredge Kick-Off Celebration on June 1^st. Over 200 stakeholders and elected officials gathered to commemorate the kick-off for the $1 Billion project hosted by Port Houston and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers at the USACE Galveston District Headquarters.

A joint effort across various federal, state, and local agencies helped bring Project 11 to life. The project received a major boost from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in January 2022 when $142 million was allocated to the project to help complete Segment 3, the Barbours Cut Container Terminal section. At 82% funded, Project 11 has received wide-spread support from a diverse group of elected officials and it’s on track to be completed by the end of 2025.

Ric Campo, the Chairman of the Port Commission delivered remarks to the crowd highlighting the partnership it takes to bring a project of such magnitude to this point. Chairman Campo also pointed to the potential and progress the project represents, citing that over 75% of the jobs sustained and created by the Houston Ship Channel are located in disadvantaged communities. Once completed, Project 11 will generate an additional $134 million annually in economic impact, equating to $367,123 a day in added benefits for the American worker and their families.

The newly retrofitted clean Dredge Carolina, owned by Great Lakes Dredge and Dock Company, arrived to Galveston for the event. Dredge Carolina is equipped with Selective Catalytic Reduction technology to significantly reduce NOx emissions, resulting in 38% cleaner than Tier 3 equipment. Lasse Petterson, CEO of Great Lakes Dock and Dredge Company, states “Dredge Carolina is one of the largest dredges in the United States. She is 340 feet long, 65 feet wide, and has about 16,000 horsepower.”

USACE Southwestern District Commander Col. Kenneth N. Reed stressed how important Project 11 is for the Galveston District and the District’s higher headquarters. “As the federal agency that maintains and constructs much of the nation’s public infrastructure, the Army Corps of Engineers continues to work with Port Houston on one of the most impactful infrastructure projects nationwide.”

The work of widening and deepening the Houston Ship Channel will have tremendous positive economic, safety, and environmental benefit for the entire nation. To learn more, visit www.expandthehoustonshipchannel.com.

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In 2018, Port Houston was presented with the Rear Admiral Richard E. Bennis Award for Excellence in Maritime Security by U.S. Coast Guard Rear Admiral John P. Nadeau, Assistant Commandant for Prevention Policy, and Houston-Galveston Sector Captain of the Port, Capt. Kevin Oditt.

“This is a tremendous achievement and testimony to the never ending efforts of our Security Department, and all employees of Port Houston, who contribute daily to our security,” said Chief Port Security and Emergency Operations Officer Marcus Woodring.

The prestigious security award, which is presented every two years, is given to organizations demonstrating excellence in maritime security through their programs and practices.

The award recognizes outstanding achievements and contributions in partnerships, people, processes, physical security, and other security activities with regard to implementation of the Maritime Transportation Security Act requirements and other best practices in safeguarding the nation’s vital marine transportation system.

The Admiral also commended the port’s ISO 28000 certification in its tenth year, as well as the region’s response to Hurricane Harvey in 2017.

“I would like to extend my appreciation and congratulations to the members of our Port Security and Emergency Operations team for all of their efforts in achieving this distinguished award,” added former Port Chairman Janiece Longoria.

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Caption: Capt. of the Port Kevin Oditt (Photo Credit: Greater Houston Port Bureau)

The Port Houston team attended the Greater Houston Port Bureau's Commerce Club luncheon featuring U.S. Coast Guard Captain of the Port Kevin Oditt Jan. 11. First responders, air and boat rescues, and greater Houston Ship Channel area closures were topics discussed at the event.

The U.S. Coast Guard supported the Gulf Coast region heavily during Hurricane Harvey. With additional support from across the country, the Coast Guard was able to station its rescue and recovery teams in Houston, Corpus Christi and Beaumont/Port Arthur prior to the major storm. Capt. Oditt commended the response from private citizens, industry, and local and federal agencies for their part in ensuring the safe reopening of the region’s ports.

Port Houston’s fireboats were some of the first vessels out to evaluate the waterway conditions, noted Oditt.

One of the challenges that the Coast Guard experienced this time unlike past storms was the unexpected use of social media for rescue operations from residents in flooded areas as well as its 911 emergency calls. The lessons learned in Texas were able to be used shortly thereafter for recoveries from Hurricanes Irma and Maria.

The U.S. Coast Guard Sector Houston-Galveston is a critical stakeholder and partner with Port Houston as well as the many private facilities along the Houston Ship Channel. It is the principal federal agency responsible for maritime safety, security and environmental stewardship in U.S. ports and waterways.

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