Houston Port Commission Approves $1.2 Million for Bayport Security

CEO Dreyer Reports on Strong Steel, Container Numbers

HOUSTON - A $1.2 million construction contract for the security system at Bayport's Marine Emergency buildings and a professional environmental and engineering services contract are among several matters approved during the regular January 25 meeting of the Port Commission of the Port of Houston Authority.

In his monthly report, Chief Executive Officer Alec G. Dreyer said December was a good month for the Port Authority in steel and containers, with improvements in other cargo categories as well.

The Port Authority handled 249,000 tons of steel in December 2010 – more than twice the year-ago levels, an increase of 174 percent.

"For the year, steel finished 2 percent above the 2009 level based upon strong growth in the last nine months of 2010," Dreyer said. "At present, we expect a 13-to-14 percent increase in steel volumes in 2011 over 2010, with the annual level approaching 3.1 million tons."

He also noted that container revenue was up a robust 12 percent in December, reflecting the strong growth in loaded units for the month. For 2010, container revenue was up 11 percent compared to 2009, with container tonnage up 10 percent for that period. Turning Basin revenue was up 25 percent for December, in line with the incremental amount of steel handled this year over last. For 2010, Turning Basin revenue was up 8 percent over last year, reflecting the strong finish to the year for steel volumes.

Ship arrivals at Port Authority facilities are up over 5.6 percent for 2010 versus 2009, Dreyer said. He also noted barge traffic has shown significant growth all year and is up 17 percent in December year-to-date.

Engineering and Real Estate

(Agenda I2) The Port Commission approved awarding a $1,186,339 construction contract to Texas Technical Services Inc. for the security system for the Phase 1 Stage 2 Container Yard and Administration, Maintenance and Repair, and Marine Emergency buildings at the Bayport Container Terminal. This project includes installation of access control card readers and security cameras to work with existing Port Authority equipment and connect to the Port Coordination Center, the Port Authority's security command center. These security improvements will help maintain controlled access and surveillance for the three newly-constructed buildings and container yard at the Bayport terminal.

Strategic Planning

(Agenda Q1) Port Commissioners awarded a $310,000, five-year contract to Gahagan & Bryant Associates, Inc. for professional environmental and engineering services for oversight of the Greens Bayou remediation project.

In December 2003, defendants in a lawsuit brought by the Port Authority agreed to remediate past pollution in and along portions of Greens Bayou. A portion of the funds paid by the defendants is used by the Port Authority to support its oversight of these activities, including sediment sampling and analysis, groundwater sampling and monitoring, reviewing analytical reports, and continuing general monitoring activities.

Since 2004, Gahagan & Bryant Associates Inc. (GBA), in partnership with Shaw Environmental Inc., has assisted the Port Authority with this oversight work. GBA and its subcontractors will now perform the work.