January 8, 2003

Galveston Port Development Meeting
 
The Board of Trustees of the Galveston Wharves and the Ad Hoc Committee for Future Port Development met together on Wednesday to hear presentations from representatives of two port consulting firms, on options to plan for future development.

John Vickerman of TranSystems Corporation, who developed a strategic plan for the port in 1998, reminded the group that he recommended expansion of cruise ship efforts, which has paid off.

Vickerman said deployment of troops and equipment to the Persian Gulf will generate work for the port if there is war in Iraq. 

"They want to deploy the entire Department of Defense capability through commercial ports without disrupting them," Vickerman said.  "So on top of all the commercial issues, we have military issues, as well."

Pamy Arora of The Cornell Group, who was invited through the Galveston Economic Development Partnership, suggested privatization of the port through public/private partnerships.

"Be flexible in embracing new opportunities," Arora said.  "Your dead berths may have a much higher economic value to the city for 'other' uses'."

The wharves board and the ad hoc committee agreed to hold another meeting soon to begin the process to determine a plan.

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