The Brownsville Ship Channel is set to be widened and deepened with the recent signing of a partnership agreement between the Brownsville Navigation District (BND) and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), says an article published in FreightWaves.
USACE’s
The Brazos Island Harbor Channel Improvement Project — USACE’s official name for the endeavour — will deepen the ship channel from its current 42 feet to 52 feet.
The deepening aims to enable the 17-mile ship channel to accommodate larger, heavier cargo vessels.
Setting Future Goals
“The completion of the project will not only shape the course of our future but also the economic landscape of the Rio Grande Valley,” Esteban Guerra, BND chairman, said in a statement.
“Increasing the depth of the ship channel will allow us to receive larger vessels and contribute to cost savings, setting in motion the next great evolution of the Port of Brownsville.”
The Only Deep-Water Seaport
Located 277 miles south of San Antonio at the southernmost tip of Texas along the Gulf of Mexico, the Brownsville Ship Channel at the Port of Brownsville is the only deep-water seaport located along the border, making it a major trade channel between Texas and Mexico.
Types Of Products
More than 80% of the port’s trade is with Mexico, transporting products such as steel, gasoline and other fuels across the border.
The types of commercial vessels regularly calling at Brownsville are bulk carriers and oil/chemical tankers.
The port also boasts 13 general cargo docks and six liquid cargo docks.
Phase Two
The channel improvement project has two phases.
The recent agreement between BND and USACE concerns phase two, which includes the stretch of the ship channel from its turning basin to the western boundary of the proposed site of Next Decade’s Rio Grande LNG (liquefied natural gas) export terminal.
The next Decade will pay for phase one of the project.
Dredging Projects
Officials did not specify when the channel dredging would begin but said the entire project is scheduled to be completed in three years.
Port of Brownsville officials have been fighting for the dredging project’s funding since around 2007.
The plan received a boost in March when it was announced phase two would be funded with $68 million from the Biden administration’s Infrastructure Investment Act.
Deep Draft Vessels
Timothy Vail, USACE Galveston District commander, said deepening the channel is important for increasing the United States’ clean energy capabilities.
“This project supports wind-based and other green energy expansion in Texas and across the nation by increasing imports of key materials, parts and equipment,” Vail said in a statement.
“The Port of Brownsville is the only port in Texas where deep draft vessels are being built. These deep draft vessels, which will now be able to access the port, are needed for the increased import of wind products.”
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Source: FreightWaves
