The Port of Dover, together with the Port of Calais and the Regional Council Nord-Pas de Calais – owner of the port – are therefore delighted that their significant ongoing work to deliver essential short term capacity enhancements has been supported with over €14 million of EU funding from the European Commission.

Recognising the growing importance of Dover and Calais as core ports within a key transport corridor connecting the UK with France and the rest of Europe, the partners signed a Memorandum of Understanding in April 2014 to cement long term commitment to
delivering a shared vision of the future through the BRIDGE (Building the Resilience of International and Dependent Gateways in Europe) project.

BRIDGE is ensuring that Dover-Calais remains resilient in the face of significant market growth and in support of an effective and efficient European transport network and growing European trade along the corridor. This is being achieved through major investment in protecting, maximising and delivering essential short and long term capacity with enhanced flexibility and efficiency as well as exploring new development opportunities.

The funding received is for the first phase of the BRIDGE project, dedicated to short term improvements. Through the Calais Port 2015 and Dover Western Docks Revival projects, European support will also be sought in delivering the long term elements of BRIDGE.

Tim Waggott, Chief Executive, Port of Dover, says: “The Port of Dover handles £100 billion (€130 billion) of trade each year on behalf of the UK and EU. With around 80% of that trade moving between Dover and Calais, it is absolutely vital that nationally and internationally, the importance of this bridge between the UK and Europe is understood and supported. I am therefore delighted that, with our own Department for Transport’s support, the European Union has recognised this and the urgency of supporting us in delivering key short and long term capacity enhancements on this core trade route by granting us €14 million of funding.”

The partners look forward to delivering current and future capacity improvements on behalf of the UK, France and the EU.

The contract carries a value of approximately EUR 350 million (Van Oord share 50%).

The project involves reclaiming approximately 160 hectares of new land requiring in excess of 20 million cubic meters of dredged sand. Two jumbo trailing suction hopper dredgers will be deployed for the dredging and reclamation activities sourcing sand from local borrow areas. Soil improvement and rock revetment works also form part of the project. Work will commence immediately and the project is expected to be completed in 2018. When constructed the new island will be used for both residential and commercial
purposes.

Van Oord is a leading international contractor specialising in dredging, marine engineering and offshore projects (oil, gas and wind). Its head office is located in Rotterdam, the Netherlands.

In a report to the Port Commission of the Port of Houston Authority at its monthly meeting, Guenther said PHA’s terminals handled more than 37 million tons of cargo last year, which marked an increase of 5 percent compared to the previous year and also set a record.

“The unified and collective effort of all of our stakeholders is the key to what continues to make the Port of Houston a great economic engine for not only our region, but for the state of Texas and the nation,” Guenther said. “Cargo volumes continue to be strong as we begin a new year and new century for the Houston Ship Channel,” he added. A total of 6.6 million tons of steel crossed the Port Authority’s docks in 2014, breaking the previous record of 6.3 million tons. Container tonnage topped 19.4 million tons last year.

Other business lines also performed well last year, making it one of the best years to date for grain and bulk exports, Guenther said. The strong showing in 2014 resulted in solid financial results for the Port Authority, with $261 million in operating revenue, $39 million in net operating income and $116 million in cash flow.

“These healthy results are vital to our continued success as we prepare for even greater growth and prosperity in the future,” Guenther said. Plans call for a significant capital investment plan during the next five years that will include new and redevelopment projects totaling in excess of $1 billion.

Among 2014 highlights Guenther cited Tuesday was the beginning of the deepening and widening of the Barbours Cut and Bayport channels, an $80 million project that is funded by the Port Authority. He also recognized high productivity levels for Port Authority cranes, with more than 99 percent reliability, which is well above the national average. At the same time, PHA’s focus on safety awareness resulted in a decline in incidents.

Strategic real estate agreements supporting cargo operations also were executed during 2014. Those included agreements with Enterprise Product Partners for the export of ethane and with Frontier Logistics for the export of plastic resins.

Additionally, the Port Authority is accommodating new alliances of container carriers, including one between the world’s two largest container lines, Maersk and MSC, which will allow for their future growth through Port
Authority facilities. For 2015, a key Port Authority priority is to explore and develop an even more diverse range of cargo, including opportunities for the shipment of refrigerated goods through the port. PHA also is preparing to handle an
increase in plastic resin exports that is expected during the next several years.