HOUSTON, Aug. 20, 2008 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Port Commission of The Port of Houston Authority (PHA) will consider advertising for three electric cranes for the Bayport Container Terminal, estimated to cost from $33 to $34.5 million, and awarding more than $1 million for consulting services to prepare a site selection study for a future container terminal on Tuesday, August 26, beginning at 9 a.m. in the board room of the PHA Executive Building, 111 East Loop North (Exit 29 off Loop 610) in Houston. Chairman Jim Edmonds will preside over the meeting with Commissioner Steve Phelps, Commissioner Jim Fonteno, Commissioner Kase Lawal, Commissioner Jimmy Burke, Commissioner Janiece Longoria and Commissioner Elyse Lanier.
BAYPORT MATTERS
(Agenda K4) Commissioners are being asked to authorize advertising and receipt of proposals for three dockside electric container cranes for Bayport Terminal at $33 to $34.5 million. The operation of the Bayport Container Terminal depends on the availability of dockside container cranes for loading and unloading container ships. Six such cranes are now operational at the Bayport Terminal. Since Berth 3 is now under construction (1,330 feet), which will provide dock space for a third vessel, three additional dockside wharf cranes are required to serve PHA customers. At buildout, Bayport will be able to handle an annual container volume of about 2.3 million twenty-foot equivalent units or TEUs.
TERMINAL NEXT MATTERS
(Agenda G6) Commissioners are being asked to approve awarding a $1.05 million consulting services contract to Lockwood, Andrews & Newnam, Inc. for preparation of the Terminal Next Site Selection Study. PHA staff has begun the process of planning for "Terminal Next," the PHA's future container terminal, to support the anticipated needs of its customers. An initial step in this process is the collection and analysis of information including economic data, demographic trends, trade and commercial and regional geography and site availability information. The busiest container port along the U.S. Gulf Coast, the PHA currently handles nearly 70 percent of the container market in the U.S. Gulf of Mexico.
ENVIRONMENTAL MATTERS
(Agenda G9) Commissioners are being asked to authorize a professional services contract for air quality consulting services to Starcrest Consulting Group, LLC, for a term of two years and totaling $225,000. These services will assist the Environmental Affairs Department with air quality issues related to regulatory compliance, permitting and Environmental Management System goals and air quality projects and programs, including emission reductions programs, as part of the PHA's commitment to environmental excellence.
REAL ESTATE MATTERS
(Agenda K1) The commission is being asked to approve advertising and receipt of bids for an oil, gas and mineral lease in a 730.6-acre tract out of the Lost Lake property in Harris County. The bid specifications require a minimum royalty of 25 percent, a minimum bonus of $250 per net mineral acres, a minimum shut-in royalty of $10 per net mineral acre and a primary term of two years.
SPONSORSHIP MATTERS
(Agenda M2) The commission is being asked to authorize sponsorship of the 4th Annual Houston Port Region Coffee Symposium, to be held Nov. 17, 2008, in Houston, for $50,000. In collaboration with the Economic Alliance Houston Port Region and Greater Houston Coffee Association, the PHA would serve as a host of the two-day event, which is expected to attract more than 1,000 coffee industry and community leaders. The symposium promotes the region's rising stature in the global coffee trade and economic development opportunities in the Houston Port Region. The event will include tours of the coffee warehouse district and the PHA's Bayport facility and a forum featuring several nationally renowned coffee industry professionals who will address current trends and opportunities in the industry. It will culminate with a recognition dinner in connection with the Economic Alliance Houston Port Region's annual banquet, where small businesses will be recognized. The PHA's sponsorship will assist in offsetting conference costs not covered by registration fees and other sponsorships.
This news release is not a substitute for the official PHA agenda. To view the complete agenda, please visit: http://portofhouston.com/publicrelations/meetings.html
The Port of Houston Authority owns and operates the public facilities located along the Port of Houston, the 25-mile-long complex of diversified public and private facilities designed for handling general cargo, containers, grain and other dry bulk materials, project and heavy lift cargo, and other types of cargo. Each year, more than 7,700 vessels call at the port, which ranks first in the U.S. in foreign waterborne tonnage and second in overall total tonnage. The port authority plays a vital role in ensuring navigational safety along the Houston Ship Channel, which has been instrumental in Houston's development as a center of international trade. The Barbours Cut Container Terminal and Central Maintenance Facility are the first of any U.S. port facilities to develop and implement an innovative Environmental Management System that meets the rigorous standards of ISO 14001. PHA is the first port authority in the world to receive ISO 28000:2007 certification for Port Police and the perimeter security operations at both the Barbours Cut and Bayport Terminals. Additionally, the port is an approved delivery point for Coffee "C" futures contracts traded on the New York Board of Trade's Coffee, Sugar & Cocoa Exchange. For more information, please visit www.portofhouston.com
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