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A Publication of Guidry News Service |
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A Publication of Guidry News Service |
The Port of Galveston and the Port of Victoria, Texas have announced a new cooperative arrangement in support of the export of Texas-grown agricultural products. The cooperation between the two ports involves the development of agricultural storage facilities at the Port of Victoria and the export of agricultural products through the new Galveston Bulk Terminal at Pier 35 at the Port of Galveston. "We are truly excited about this new cooperative arrangement with the Port of Victoria," said Steven M. Cernak, Galveston port director. "This is an excellent opportunity for an inland port to work hand-in-hand with a deep water port to facilitate economic growth in our state." Cernak said that the port cooperation will provide an outlet for agricultural products grown in Texas that has not previously existed. "It will also be a means to support the further development of Galveston Bulk Terminal, the diversification of the products handled there and the creation of additional cargo volume moving through this facility," Cernak said. "The partnership between the two ports will ultimately result in reduced transportation costs for Texas farmers in delivering their goods to market. Additionally, and importantly, it will help to create new jobs and economic impact for the communities in which the ports are located." Galveston Bulk Terminal at Pier 35 at the Port of Galveston became available at the end of 2003, having operated previously as the Imperial Sugar Company bulk sugar import terminal. GBT is directly served by both the Burlington Northern and Santa Fe Railway Company and the Union Pacific Railroad, and is located on the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway. The Port of Victoria and the Farmer's Co-op of El Campo signed an agreement to build and manage an export facility on the Victoria port's rail line near the barge loading dock. When this phase is completed, two 200,000 bushel bins with a capacity to load at 50,000 bushels per hour will occupy the five-acre site. "The Port of Victoria is proud and privileged to partner with a co-op of El Campo's reputation," said Howard Hawthorne, Port of Victoria executive director. "With the ability to export by rail or water, we can expect significant tonnage to move through the port. The new relationship between the Port of Victoria and the Port of Galveston is the next step of this development. We can load barges here at the Port of Victoria for shipment to Galveston Bulk Terminal at the deepwater Port of Galveston. There these Texas-grown commodities can be transloaded straight from barge to vessel for export to countries that can use them." Hawthorne said the partnership provides "a great opportunity for the Port of Victoria to support regional economic growth in cooperation with the Port of Galveston."
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