Latest news with #Port
Yahoo
a day ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Port of Corpus Christi officials celebrate completion of Ship Channel Improvement Project
Large ships passed by the Port of Corpus Christi on June 2 as federal, state and local leaders who gathered there to celebrate the forthcoming completion of the Ship Channel Improvement Project offered them a friendly wave. The navigational project increases the depth of the ship channel from 47 feet to 54 feet and widens it from 400 feet to 530 feet to allow large draft vessels to navigate the passage. It also adds barge shelves to the outside of the channel to provide for a safer trip for barges and ships. Port officials say it will expand capacity to export crude oil, liquefied natural gas and other commodities at a less expensive rate by allowing larger vessels such as Very Large Crude Carriers to move through the channel. The expansion will result in fewer ships transporting more cargo, saving about $200 million in annual transportation costs, said Kent Britton, the Port of Corpus Christi CEO. 'This is probably the most significant thing the port has done,' he said. 'When I got here, we'd started saying we were the energy port of America. I was new to the port and new to the port industry and thought that was a pretty bold statement. 'When you see what's happened in the succeeding eight years, it truly is humbling, and it's humbling to be able to lead this organization,' he said. The ceremony on June 2 marked the culmination of about 35 years' effort on the major infrastructure project, which began when the U.S. Congress first authorized a study to look at the possibility of dredging the ship channel. Congress authorized the project some 17 years later at the proposed depth. The port obtained first-dollar funding for the project in 2018, three years after Congress passed legislation lifting a ban on crude oil exports. Phase 1 entailed digging the channel from the Gulf of Mexico, since renamed by the U.S. government as Gulf of America, to Harbor Island. With funding for Phase 2, the port continued to dredge from Harbor Island to west of the La Quinta Junction, followed by Phase 3, which dredged the channel west of the La Quinta junction to Chemical TB. The latest phase deepens and widens the channel from Chemical TB to Viola TB and is expected to end in the second quarter of 2025, although additional maintenance and dredging will follow to ensure there is no shoaling and to ensure the entire channel has been deepened to 54 feet, according to port officials. For the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, which entered into a project partnership agreement with the Port of Corpus Christi in 2017 to share project costs, the ceremony was an opportunity to witness the result of years of partnerships with stakeholders who helped design, engineer and fund the channel project. The corps contributed about $450 million of the $625 million investment, and the port made a $180 million capital contribution, port officials said. Under the leadership of the port commission, the port has invested about $1 billion in the last 10 years to build new infrastructure to benefit the region and open up the port for customers. The ceremony on June 2 is the second event that the port has organized in the last several months in anticipation of the completion of the Ship Channel Improvement Project. Port officials and U.S. Sen. John Cornyn attended a town hall in late March to discuss the importance of the project and the role of its export capacity in strengthening trade and American energy dominance. With the lift of the ban on crude oil exports, the port began shipping large volumes of oil through the channel, advancing it from exporting less than 100,000 barrels per day in the first year after the ban was lifted to 2.4 million barrels last year. The port's proximity to Eagle Ford Shale and the Permian Basin, major oil production fields, has helped attract $65 billion in investments to the Coastal Bend over the last decade, according to a news release issued by the Port of Corpus Christi. Port customers and port-related activities generate about 95,000 jobs, the news release said. During the ceremony on June 2, Omar Garcia, the chief external affairs officer for the Port of Corpus Christi, said the new 54-foot depth is already providing opportunities for economic growth, which translates into more community investments and new jobs. 'When I arrived at the Port of Corpus Christi in the fall of 2018, this gateway was the nation's fourth-largest port in total waterborne tonnage,' he said. Today, the port is the largest crude oil exporter in the U.S. and the third-largest in the world, with only Saudi Arabia and Iraq exporting more crude oil, he said. With the project's fourth phase nearing conclusion, port officials and city leaders thanked current and past commissioners for their efforts to secure project funding by traveling to Washington, D.C., to meet with representatives of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the congressional budget office. He thanked Solomon P. Ortiz, a congressman representing Corpus Christi in 1990, for persuading Congress to authorize the feasibility study through the Water Resources Development Act. U.S. Rep. Henry Cuellar, a Democrat serving on the House Appropriations Committee, spoke at the ceremony about working with U.S. Rep. Michael Cloud, a Republican on the committee, to obtain $157 million in fiscal year 2023 to launch and finish the final phase of the project. 'From energy exports to military activity, from small businesses to global markets, this port connects South Texas to the rest of the world,' he said. 'With the $625 million channel improvement project completed, we are ready to lead the world into the next generation of trade.' More: The Port of Corpus Christi may abandon a desalination permit. Here's why. More: Permit approved for Corpus Christi Ship Channel dredging project This article originally appeared on Corpus Christi Caller Times: Port of Corpus Christi officials celebrate channel deepening project
Yahoo
a day ago
- General
- Yahoo
St. Augustine to remove 9 abandoned boats from local waters to protect boaters and marine life
As summer boating season kicks off, the City of St. Augustine is launching a two-week effort to remove nine abandoned boats from local waterways, aiming to improve safety and protect marine ecosystems. The operation, funded through grants from the Florida Inland Navigation District and the St. Augustine Port, Waterway and Beach District, will target derelict vessels in Salt Run and the Matanzas River. City officials say the boats, many damaged or half-sunken, pose a growing risk to boaters, wildlife, and water quality. 'Some of them are from hurricanes that happened in previous history, some are abandoned,' Jacob Webber, the city's Grants Administration Coordinator, said. 'They're all abandoned and not seaworthy and need to be removed.' [SIGN UP: Action News Jax Daily Headlines Newsletter] Beyond being eyesores, the vessels threaten both public infrastructure and the environment. 'If you're driving a boat in the water, you can run into it,' Webber said. 'It can damage a ramp or public property. If it ends up leaking, that's a danger for the wildlife and the property that's all around it.' Each vessel will be carefully removed, relocated, and destroyed. Webber says the city works closely with local law enforcement to authorize removals and follow up with potential vessel owners. [DOWNLOAD: Free Action News Jax app for alerts as news breaks] 'We received authorization from some local law enforcement agencies, whether that's St. Augustine PD or St. Johns County Sheriff's Office,' he said. 'They give us authorization.' Once the boats are removed, information about each vessel is returned to law enforcement so officials can contact owners and, if necessary, pursue restitution. The city expects the cleanup to be completed in about two weeks. Click here to download the free Action News Jax news and weather apps, click here to download the Action News Jax Now app for your smart TV and click here to stream Action News Jax live.
Yahoo
a day ago
- Health
- Yahoo
'Hasn't worked': AFL world rallies around Ollie Wines amid difficult development
AFL fans are showering Ollie Wines with support after the Port Adelaide star revealed on Monday he'll likely need more heart surgery. The former Brownlow Medallist suffers from a heart irregularity which sometimes causes palpitations. The condition has seen him substituted out of three games in the past four seasons - most recently in Port's away win against Sydney on April 20. Wines had heart surgery last December in a bid to correct the issue, but revealed on Monday it hasn't worked. "I had a procedure back in December and there was one per cent likeliness that it wouldn't work," he told reporters. "And unfortunately, I'm in the one per cent that it hasn't worked. "So we've gone back to a bit of an intervention plan that we had the previous two years to manage it up to that operation and that is working well so far. We will reassess at the end of the season to see if we do it again and try a surgical operation." It comes after Wines and partner Olivia announced last month they're expecting their first child. Despite the difficult development, Wines is staying optimistic. "It was frustrating (to be subbed out against Sydney)," he said. "But, look, at the end of the day, luckily for me it's not life threatening. And it's something that cost me a game of footy, enough to get subbed out of a game of footy. "So I'm in a really fortunate position. I've got the best cardiologists and doctors around me at the footy club and they've talked me through everything. So at the moment, it's just this plan that has previously worked. I've never had an episode when we're using this intervention and once the season ends, we'll assess if I need a procedure again." Wines and partner Oliver announced in May they're expecting a baby boy. 'Soon to be three,' Olivia wrote alongside a photo of the ultrasound. The couple also shared a video of them cutting into a blue cake to reveal the gender. The official Port Adelaide account was among the many to congratulate the happy couple. 'Couldn't love this more,' they wrote. Maisie Rozee, the wife of Port captain Connor, wrote: "Congratulations!! Sooo exciting!!" Kellie Finlayson, the wife of Port player Jeremy, wrote: "Congratulations beautiful humans." While Charlotte Viney, the wife of Melbourne player Jack, commented: "So happy!" View this post on Instagram A post shared by Olivia May (@oliviamay666) View this post on Instagram A post shared by Olivia May (@oliviamay666) Port coach Ken Hinkley previously praised Wines for the way he's been handling his heart issue. "I think it's a managed situation which we know how to manage really well," Hinkley said. "Ollie, more importantly, understands it really, really well. "Even on the weekend (against Sydney), he's self-diagnosed himself, he knows himself what's going on. So what I'm comfortable is that Ollie understands everything and he's comfortable about it. He's more than OK to continue on and be playing the game." RELATED: James Hird calls out Sydney Swans over moment he's 'never seen' Collingwood fans 'salty' after rival club takes step-son of legend AFL fans rallied around Wines on social media on Monday after learning his procedure didn't work. "Wishing Ollie Wines the very best," one person wrote. Another commented: "All the best, hope everything works out."
Yahoo
a day ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Texas port completes $625M ship channel deepening project
After $625 million and six years of construction, the Port of Corpus Christi, Texas, has opened the 11.9 miles of its expanded ship channel. The four-phase improvement project deepened the ship channel from 47 to 54 feet and widened it from 400 feet to 530 feet to accommodate the growing demand for larger vessels. 'The Corpus Christi Ship Channel Improvement Project unlocks a new era of economic growth for both the Coastal Bend and the nation,' David Engel, chairman of the Port of Corpus Christi Commission, said in a news release. The Corpus Christi Ship Channel is about 34 miles long, extending from the Gulf of Mexico to the Viola Turning Basin near the westernmost point of Nueces Bay. The ship channel project was approved in 2017 and began construction in 2019. It was funded by Congress and the Port of Corpus Christi, with support from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and private marine companies. The Port of Corpus Christi has provided more $161.5 million for its portion of the total cost. The federal government has appropriated more than $296.3 million in funding for the project. The expanded waterway aims to facilitate larger vessels and allows for more two-way traffic, permitting more than one vessel to pass through the channel at the same time. The Port of Corpus Christi — dubbed the 'Energy Port of the Americas'— is the largest crude oil export gateway in the U.S. and the third-largest in the world, behind Russia and Saudi Arabia. It moves more than 2.4 million barrels of crude oil exports per day. The Port of Corpus Christi also ranks second in the U.S. for liquid natural gas exports. In 2024, trade at the port totaled $89 billion, according to Census Bureau data analyzed by WorldCity. The Port of Corpus Christi handled over $7 billion in trade during March. The port's largest global trade partners during the month were South Korea ($1.1 billion), the Netherlands ($897 million), Taiwan ($583 million), India ($415 million) and Canada ($386 million). The post Texas port completes $625M ship channel deepening project appeared first on FreightWaves.
The Advertiser
2 days ago
- Sport
- The Advertiser
Port star considers more heart surgery at season's end
Port Adelaide's Brownlow medallist Ollie Wines is considering more heart surgery at the end of the AFL season. Wines suffers from a heart irregularity which sometimes causes palpitations, leading him to be substituted out of three games in the past four seasons. The 30-year-old admits frustration at the condition arising most recently - and forcing his substitution - from Port's away win against Sydney on April 20. That episode followed heart surgery last December in a bid to correct the issue. "I had a procedure back in December and there was one per cent likeliness that it wouldn't work," Wines told reporters on Monday. "And unfortunately, I'm in the one per cent that it hasn't worked. "So we've gone back to a bit of an intervention plan that we had the previous two years to manage it up to that operation and that is working well so far. "We will reassess at the end of the season to see if we do it again and try a surgical operation." But Wines remained pragmatic about his heart issue. "It was frustrating (to be subbed out against Sydney)," he said. "But, look, at the end of the day, luckily for me it's not life threatening. "And it's something that cost me a game of footy, enough to get subbed out of a game of footy. "So I'm in a really fortunate position. I've got the best cardiologists and doctors around me at the footy club and they've talked me through everything. "So at the moment, it's just this plan that has previously worked. "I've never had an episode when we're using this intervention and once the season ends, we'll assess if I need a procedure again." Wines and his teammates have returned to training after a mid-season bye which came with the Power languishing in 15th spot with four wins and seven losses ahead of meeting GWS in Canberra on Saturday night. Some pundits have blamed Port's fall on the coaching succession plan - head coach Ken Hinkley will step down at season's end and be replaced by long-time assistant Josh Carr. But Wines said from the February announcement of the handover "nothing has changed". "Ken's our coach, he will be for the rest of the year," he said. "And I know he's got a lot of energy and enthusiasm for the job and we'll be there for him.. "Despite not winning a premiership, I think we've always been up there and we've played a lot of finals. "Ken's done a lot for me personally as a footballer and off the field so I'm always going to play for him." Port Adelaide's Brownlow medallist Ollie Wines is considering more heart surgery at the end of the AFL season. Wines suffers from a heart irregularity which sometimes causes palpitations, leading him to be substituted out of three games in the past four seasons. The 30-year-old admits frustration at the condition arising most recently - and forcing his substitution - from Port's away win against Sydney on April 20. That episode followed heart surgery last December in a bid to correct the issue. "I had a procedure back in December and there was one per cent likeliness that it wouldn't work," Wines told reporters on Monday. "And unfortunately, I'm in the one per cent that it hasn't worked. "So we've gone back to a bit of an intervention plan that we had the previous two years to manage it up to that operation and that is working well so far. "We will reassess at the end of the season to see if we do it again and try a surgical operation." But Wines remained pragmatic about his heart issue. "It was frustrating (to be subbed out against Sydney)," he said. "But, look, at the end of the day, luckily for me it's not life threatening. "And it's something that cost me a game of footy, enough to get subbed out of a game of footy. "So I'm in a really fortunate position. I've got the best cardiologists and doctors around me at the footy club and they've talked me through everything. "So at the moment, it's just this plan that has previously worked. "I've never had an episode when we're using this intervention and once the season ends, we'll assess if I need a procedure again." Wines and his teammates have returned to training after a mid-season bye which came with the Power languishing in 15th spot with four wins and seven losses ahead of meeting GWS in Canberra on Saturday night. Some pundits have blamed Port's fall on the coaching succession plan - head coach Ken Hinkley will step down at season's end and be replaced by long-time assistant Josh Carr. But Wines said from the February announcement of the handover "nothing has changed". "Ken's our coach, he will be for the rest of the year," he said. "And I know he's got a lot of energy and enthusiasm for the job and we'll be there for him.. "Despite not winning a premiership, I think we've always been up there and we've played a lot of finals. "Ken's done a lot for me personally as a footballer and off the field so I'm always going to play for him." Port Adelaide's Brownlow medallist Ollie Wines is considering more heart surgery at the end of the AFL season. Wines suffers from a heart irregularity which sometimes causes palpitations, leading him to be substituted out of three games in the past four seasons. The 30-year-old admits frustration at the condition arising most recently - and forcing his substitution - from Port's away win against Sydney on April 20. That episode followed heart surgery last December in a bid to correct the issue. "I had a procedure back in December and there was one per cent likeliness that it wouldn't work," Wines told reporters on Monday. "And unfortunately, I'm in the one per cent that it hasn't worked. "So we've gone back to a bit of an intervention plan that we had the previous two years to manage it up to that operation and that is working well so far. "We will reassess at the end of the season to see if we do it again and try a surgical operation." But Wines remained pragmatic about his heart issue. "It was frustrating (to be subbed out against Sydney)," he said. "But, look, at the end of the day, luckily for me it's not life threatening. "And it's something that cost me a game of footy, enough to get subbed out of a game of footy. "So I'm in a really fortunate position. I've got the best cardiologists and doctors around me at the footy club and they've talked me through everything. "So at the moment, it's just this plan that has previously worked. "I've never had an episode when we're using this intervention and once the season ends, we'll assess if I need a procedure again." Wines and his teammates have returned to training after a mid-season bye which came with the Power languishing in 15th spot with four wins and seven losses ahead of meeting GWS in Canberra on Saturday night. Some pundits have blamed Port's fall on the coaching succession plan - head coach Ken Hinkley will step down at season's end and be replaced by long-time assistant Josh Carr. But Wines said from the February announcement of the handover "nothing has changed". "Ken's our coach, he will be for the rest of the year," he said. "And I know he's got a lot of energy and enthusiasm for the job and we'll be there for him.. "Despite not winning a premiership, I think we've always been up there and we've played a lot of finals. "Ken's done a lot for me personally as a footballer and off the field so I'm always going to play for him."
