Port of Galveston Receives $1M Maritime Security Grant

The Port of Galveston announced Thursday that it has received a $1 million grant from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) for port security improvements. The grant was awarded through the 2017 Port Security Grant Program (PSGP).

The award will be used to fund two projects. The first project expands the Port’s fiber infrastructure and video surveillance systems, supports cyber security efforts and provides funds to assist with system maintenance. The second project will replace the canopy located at the security gate serving the Port’s West End terminals. The total budget for both projects is about $1.1 million. The federal funding will be matched by the Port with a 25 percent cost share of $280,000.

“We’re honored by the confidence FEMA has shown in the Port of Galveston with this award. It will help us continue our commitment to enhancing the security of the Port and ensuring the safe movement of passengers and cargo through the Port of Galveston complex,” said Peter Simons, Interim Port Director.

The PSGP is one of the Department of Homeland Security's grant programs that directly supports maritime transportation infrastructure security activities, and serves as one of a comprehensive set of measures authorized by Congress to strengthen the nation’s infrastructure against risks associated with potential terrorist attacks. 

Galveston is a busy cruise port, handling about 1.7 million cruise passengers annually, and it also operates a mix of ro/ro, dry bulk, reefer and breakbulk cargo business lines. It is a self-supporting enterprise port and does not use local tax dollars to fund its operations.