Port of Houston Begins Container Terminal Planning

The Port of Houston commissioners have authorized the executive director to make and file an expansion application with the Foreign Trade Zones Board for the addition of seven properties to the Houston General Purpose Foreign Trade Zone.

Included in the application are the Care Terminal and property near the Jacintoport Terminal, just east of Beltway 8. The privately owned properties are undeveloped or partially developed business parks located in southeastern Harris County, according to the port authority. Anticipated increases in imports into the Houston area, as well as the current growth in available warehousing and distribution facilities has created the need to expand the FTZ to include areas, says the Port of Houston Authority (PHA).

Among other agenda items approved by the commissioners was a proposed service contract to assist PHA's Environmental Affairs and Engineering departments and Energy Management Core Team in evaluating all PHA facilities for potential energy, water, operational and associated capital cost improvement opportunities. “This service is part of the PHA's commitment to environmental excellence,” said the port authority.

A site selection study for a future container terminal was also authorized. “The PHA staff has begun the process of planning for the next terminal to support the anticipated needs of the port authority's customers. An initial step in this process is the collection and analysis of information, including economic data, demographic trends, trade and commercial information and information regarding regional geography and site availability,” said a statement by the commissioners. “The PHA's continued growth requires planning for future needs.”