Demolition of existing facilities on the properties would progress over the next three years, and is expected to increase the value of the properties by an amount far in excess of the demolition costs, according to R.D. Tanner, Senior Director, Real Estate. The value of many of the tracts is enhanced by existing rail access and close-at-hand freeway location. The redevelopment plan was among a host of matters decided during the Port Commission’s Jan. 24 regular meeting.
Chief Executive Officer Alec G. Dreyer began his monthly report by noting that 2011 was a special year for the Port Authority, with a number of accomplishments meriting attention.
The Port Authority recorded the highest volume of container TEUs and largest amount of container tonnage in its history, at 17.7 million tons and just under 1.9 million TEUs, and its 2nd highest total tonnage ever, less than 1 percent below its all-time record set in 2008.
In spite of a year-long drought, Dreyer said that the Port Authority also recorded an all-time record for grain handling in 2011, at nearly 2.4 million tons, displacing the previous record from 2000. In addition, operating revenue for the Port Authority set a new record at $204 million, besting the previous one set in 2008.
“And importantly, the Houston Ship Channel set an all-time record for highest number of ship calls at 8,073,” he noted.
Barge traffic finished the year 8 percent ahead of 2010. For the year, ship arrivals for the Port Authority were up 1 percent.
Container TEU volumes were up 1 percent in December and finished the year 3 percent ahead of 2010.Container tonnage was up 4 percent for the year.
In spite of a much lower level of ship arrivals at the Turning Basin terminals, steel totaled 263,000 tons in December compared to 249,000 tons in December 2010.For the year, steel was up 58 percent, with an annual total of 4.3 million tons compared to 2.7 million tons in 2010.
“Our mid-month look at January 2012 steel provides an estimate of 450,000 tons,” Dreyer said.”This would compare to January 2011 of 243,000, an 85 percent improvement and a nice start to the year for this important commodity.”
Container revenue finished the year up 8 percent over prior year.Turning Basin revenue was up 24 percent for the year as a direct result of the significant increase in steel volumes, he noted.