Business, Feature, Freight News, Sea

Port of Corpus Christi Sees Q1 Volumes Dip

[ May 3, 2024   //   Gary G Burrows ]

Customers moved 48.9 million tons through the Corpus Christi Ship Channel in the first quarter of 2024, a 1 percent decrease from the year-earlier quarter.
A slight increase in crude oil shipments to 30.2 million tons, and a significant increase in agricultural shipments, were unable to fully offset decreases in refined products and liquefied natural gas shipments for the third-largest U.S. port in waterborne tonnage.
“With a number of infrastructure improvements either underway or in the works, we remain committed to helping our customer base bring continued prosperity to the Coastal Bend region,” said Kent Britton, CEO of the Port of Corpus Christi.
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in September 2023 awarded the final contract for the Corpus Christi Ship Channel Improvement Project to Callan Marine Ltd. The first two phases concluded, with the third phase estimated for completion later this year. The fourth and final phase of the CIP is projected to be complete in early 2025.
The Port of Corpus Christi also has several other infrastructure projects in development or under construction, including improvements to its Bulk Terminal docks, upgrades to Cargo Dock 9 – which handles break bulk cargo, like wind farm components – and expansion of Oil Dock 1. The latter project will make Oil Dock 1 the first of the port’s Inner Harbor docks to accommodate the new 54-foot channel depth along the 36-mile channel.
“As the global markets continue to fluctuate amidst ever-changing conditions, the Port of Corpus Christi and its customers are helping to provide certainty at home and abroad,” said David Engle, chairman of the seven-member Port of Corpus Christi Commission.

Tags: Port of Corpus Christi