The contractor has been onsite preparing the dredge material placement areas to receive material since May. The Barbours Cut Channel is being dredged first to ready it for the arrival of new container cranes. Dredging will begin on the Bayport Channel this fall.

“It was a great team effort between the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the Port Authority to get these projects under way,” Port Commission Chairman Janiece Longoria stated. “The Corps produced an economic analysis report, which found that the minimum net benefits of the improved Bayport and Barbours Cut channels to the U.S. economy will be USD2.9 million per month or about USD35 million a year. The commencement of this project confirms that the Port of Authority is committed and ready to handle larger container ships in Houston.”

The projects will be completed using a combination of electric- and diesel-powered dredges, working around the clock and weather permitting. The channels will also be widened or realigned by up to 100 feet to better accommodate the post-Panamax ships. These vessels can carry more than twice as much container cargo as Panamax ships, with capacity for 8,500 or greater TEU (twenty-foot equivalent units, a container measure).

About half of the expected 6 million yards of total material collected from the two channels will be for beneficial use to raise levees to increase capacity.

The Port Authority is funding the projects at its sole cost to ensure the channels are ready in advance of the opening of an expanded Panama Canal in 2016. The work is expected to be completed in the third quarter of next year.

The study found that Everett, Auburn, Algona, Pacific and Fife would be affected by more trains servicing the proposed terminal, but also pointed out that as our economy grows demand for more freight and passenger rail service will increase even if the proposed terminal is not built.
 
“If our trade-dependent economy is going to generate more family wage jobs and if we’re going to keep the jobs we have now, our state and the railroads need to invest in critical rail improvements,” said Commissioner Bill Bryant, who represents Washington’s ports on the Puget Sound Regional Council executive board.
 
The study also determined the impact of increased rail traffic could be mitigated if grade separations (over or underpasses) were constructed at nearly a third of our region’s 101 rail crossings. More than USD100 billion in cargo passes through our region’s ports each year. Ports are strong advocates for expanding rail capacity and service to the Pacific Northwest. 
 
“Increasing rail capacity and service in and out of the Pacific Northwest is essential to our global competitiveness, that means it’s critical to keeping and expanding jobs here in Washington” said Bryant. “We also need to pay attention to the safety, environmental and traffic impacts on our communities.”

Delivery of this order should take place in 2014.

DP World has already purchased Gaussin 904 TTs including the current order: • 800 trailers for its flagship Jebel Ali port, Dubaï, • 31 for its terminal in Jeddah, • 26 for its terminal in Dakar, • 27 for its terminal in Sokhna and • 20 for other terminals. Six years ago, DP World tested its first TT prototype in Jebel Ali. Over the years, Gaussin’s market share on this terminal has increased from 0 to 95%. DP World has a portfolio of more than 65 marine terminals across six continents including new developments underway in India, Africa, Europe and the Middle East, and employs around 30,000 people. In 2013, DP World handled 55 million TEU (twenty-foot equivalent container units). DP World’s flagship Jebel Ali facility in Dubai has been voted “Best Seaport in the Middle East” for 20 consecutive years by the Asian Freight and Supply Chain Awards (AFSCA).

The money was raised through a fun-filled day at the rail freight terminal near Birmingham to mark the national Armed Forces Day 2014. The terminal opened its doors to its employees, their families, and its associates to celebrate the special day. Guests were invited to have a tour of Hams Hall, the UK’s biggest inland rail freight terminal, and join in the many fun activities on offer, including climbing walls, bouncy castles and face painting.

A grand raffle was held jam-packed with prizes, including a first-class Eurostar ticket to Paris, a digital camera, a Kindle, and a trip on board a 1940s Pullman Coach from London. The raffle alone raised over £500 for the charity.

A “golden ticket” competition took place, where one lucky driver could win, for one day only, a VIP fast-ticket through the terminal with their truck and beat the queues.

Staff were heavily involved in the fundraising efforts, baking biscuits and cakes which they sold with a tea or coffee to the drivers using the terminal for a small donation.

Mike Gibson, Terminal Manager at ABP Hams Hall, said: “The staff all felt this was a great charity to donate to as we all wanted to show our appreciation of what the Armed Forces personnel do for the nation.

“Although there was a lot of hard work involved, this celebration was a great experience for our staff. We are all vowing to do another event later on this year. It was thoroughly enjoyable and rewarding and we are thrilled to have raised over £1,100 for this great cause.”