The Port of Corpus Christi in South Texas, one of many largest pure fuel and oil export areas on the Gulf Coast, has secured $157.3 million in federal funds to advance the ultimate part of a multi-year enchancment challenge.

Underneath the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2023 just lately accepted by Congress, the Port acquired challenge closeout funding for the Corpus Ship Channel Enchancment Mission (CIP) now underway by the U.S. Military Corps of Engineers.

The brand new funds could be used to advance the CIP’s final part, which might “render the Corpus Christi Ship Channel essentially the most improved in the complete U.S. Gulf Coast from Texas to Florida,” Port officers stated. 

“The Corpus Christi Ship Channel Enchancment Mission, over 30 years within the making, will considerably improve the flexibility of our clients and port stakeholders to maneuver larger volumes safely and effectively,” stated Port CEO Sean Strawbridge. 

“Whether or not supplying crucial power commodities like Texas-produced crude oil or liquefied pure fuel to our European allies affected by the Russia-Ukraine battle, shifting navy cargo in assist of the American Warfighter at residence or overseas, or getting ready for the subsequent technology of unpolluted power options, the Port of Corpus Christi and its clients play a strategic and humanitarian position in assembly these wants each domestically and globally.”

The Corpus port, stated to be the third largest U.S. seaport in whole waterway tonnage, set a file of 48.3 million tons in 3Q2022, surpassing the earlier file of 46.4 million tons in 2Q2022.

Crude oil shipments for 3Q2022 totaled 28.7 million tons, up 5% sequentially. Refined merchandise hit 8.3 million tons, a rise of 4.4% from the earlier quarter. Shipments of LNG elevated by 5.8% sequentially to 4.2 million tons, whereas dry bulk cargo rose by 3.7% to 2.1 million tons. Complete year-to-date waterway tonnage by the third quarter was 138.3 million tons.

The CIP is designed to extend the depth of the Corpus Ship Channel to minus 54 ft imply decrease low water from minus 47 ft. The channel is also being widened to 530 ft. As well as, 400 ft of barge cabinets are being constructed to permit for two-way site visitors of each vessels and barges in tandem. 

The Military Corps’ coastal navigation building funds are “the biggest single-year federal budgetary allocation for the CIP when in comparison with prior years’ budgets,” stated Port officers.

The CIP is being achieved in 4 phases, with the primary part full. Phases two and three are underway. Texas-based dredging firms Callan Marine Ltd. and Nice Lakes Dredge & Dock LLC are conducting dredging operations for the second and third phases. 

Section 4 is ready to start in 2023, with the complete challenge estimated for completion in 2024.

“It took almost three a long time to begin work on deepening and widening the Corpus Christi Ship Channel, however lastly the Port of Corpus Christi and its clients can see the sunshine on the finish of the tunnel and remaining challenge closeout,” stated Port Chairman Charles W. Zahn Jr.