“This growth was driven by continued strength in steel tonnage,” said Interim Executive Director Leonard D. Waterworth in his monthly report to the Port Commission of the Port of Houston Authority.
Steel was up 329,000 tons, or 143 percent for the month and 564,000 tons or 119 percent for 2012. Container tonnage showed solid growth of 147,000 tons or 6 percent for the year, with loaded container units growing by 10 percent. Other general and bulk cargos at Port Authority facilities grew by 296,000 tons or 44 percent for the year, he noted.
Total operations tonnage was solid, equating to operating revenues that grew by double digits, Waterworth reported. February revenue was $17.7 million, up by 16 percent with year-to-date revenues of $34.7 million, a 13-percent increase over 2011.
Net operating income is $1.8 million ahead of the budget, Waterworth said, given lower expenditures than expected, partially offset by a shortfall in container revenues due to timing issues.
“It’s good to be on the positive side,” he concluded, noting that while there is an upswing in the market currently, the Port Authority will continue to strive to increase efficiencies.
During the March 27 meeting, the Port Commission approved and adopted a resolution in support of the Houston Arts Alliance’s “Working the Port” project.
Houston Arts Alliance Director Pat Jasper gave an overview of the “Working the Port” project, which documents individuals who have worked in Houston’s port and ship channel industries. Jasper said they are part of a workforce that “represents every cultural community that comes together in Houston,” ranging from dock, rail and oil industry workers, to engineers and executives, merchant marines and marine biologists, environmental specialists and international traders. Fifty interviews with port workers have already been completed, with 50 to go, she noted.
The Houston Arts Alliance will also endeavor to engage industry and retired members of the workforce to assist with interviewing and documentation. This project comes as the Port Authority prepares for the centennial anniversary of the Port of Houston in 2014 and is already accessing archival data to mark this milestone.
“This is an unbridled opportunity to capture the live voices of the port,” Jasper said.
In his opening remarks, Port Commission Chairman James T. Edmonds welcomed staff members of the Texas Sunset Commission, who last week began reviewing the Port of Houston Authority and its work. Their efforts are expected to continue through June, with a report submitted with recommendations to the members of the Sunset Commission at the end of July. A public hearing on the committee’s recommendations will be held in Austin September 4.
“I know I speak on behalf of the entire Port Authority organization when I say that we sincerely support this process,” Edmonds said. “The Port of Houston Authority intends to make whatever changes are necessary to maintain the confidence of Texas legislators and the public, as we carry out our mandate to deliver jobs and economic prosperity for our community and nation into the next century.”