- Corpus Christi’s port has operated continuously in the weeks amid COVID-19 threats.
- The virus began spreading in the United States and throughout Texas.
- Port personnel is working remotely and cleaning efforts at port facilities have significantly stepped up.
- Each ship is vetted by the Coast Guard, U.S. Customs and Border Protection and port personnel before it is allowed entry.
- International vessels are subject to additional screening, if a crew member is ill.
- Port of Houston’s Barbours Cut and Bayport container terminals were shut down temporarily.
- It was shut down after a longshoreman there tested positive for coronavirus.
According to an article published in Caller Times, no vessels have sailed into the Port of Corpus Christi with sick crew members during the coronavirus pandemic.
Continuous operations for weeks
A port emergency official said Corpus Christi’s port has operated continuously in the weeks since the virus began spreading in the United States and throughout Texas, said Danielle Hale, the port’s emergency management manager.
Port personnel has been working remotely and cleaning efforts at port facilities have significantly stepped up in that time to beat back the virus, Hale said.
Prominent energy center
The port, the nation’s third-largest based on tonnage, has evolved into an increasingly important energy center as exports of both crude oil and liquified natural gas have taken off in recent years.
Hale said each ship on its way to the port is required to be vetted by the Coast Guard, U.S. Customs and Border Protection and port personnel before it’s allowed entry.
The Coast Guard has the authority to hold any vessel offshore for safety or security reasons. International vessels are subject to additional screening, especially if a crew member is ill.
Corpus Christi’s port has not had to deny entry to any vessel, Hale said.
Houston port ceases operations
Operations last week at two of the Port of Houston’s Barbours Cut and Bayport container terminals were shut down temporarily for when a longshoreman there tested positive for coronavirus.
“To date, there have been no vessels with ill crew members coming into the Port of Corpus Christi, and we’re hoping to keep it that way,“ Hale said.
The two container ports in Houston have since been reopened.
Port official allocated additional training and equipment
Hale said emergency officials have worked with the Port of Corpus Christi’s harbor pilots to giving them additional training and equipment. Sixty-six port employees are working from home to further suppress the virus’ spread.
Port offices will remain closed until April 6.
Port statistics
The port ended 2019 with record tonnages for December of 13.8 million cargo tons, and 122.2 million cargo tons for the entire year – a 16 million ton improvement over 2018 tonnages.
Most of the port’s growth can be linked to increases in energy exports of crude oil and liquefied natural gas.
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Source: CallerTimes
