Ports America and Cooper/T. Smith have merged their breakbulk operations in the Port of Houston into a new joint venture (JV) called Cooper/Ports America, LLC, which will be referred to as C/PA. Operations commenced on Oct. 1, 2016.
Additionally, C/PA agreed to acquire all the assets of Shippers Stevedoring and Chaparral Stevedoring under C/PA’s operations upon startup. Integrated Marine Services LLC (IMS), the empty container yard facility located adjacent to the Barbours Cut Terminal that offers complete intermodal equipment and depot services in Barbours Cut, Texas will also be part of the new JV.
The combined businesses of Ports America, Cooper/T. Smith, Shippers Stevedoring, Chaparral Stevedoring and IMS will position C/PA as the premier full-service stevedore, terminal operator, container yard storage, and maintenance and repair company in the Houston market with operations at City Docks (Turning Basin), off-dock CFS in Bayport and Barbours Cut.