Major Issues Confronting Our Ports
Dredging and dredged material management
- Millions of cubic yards of sediment are dredged annually.
- Building and maintaining cost-effective and environmentally friendly navigation channels is a priority.
- Ports act as sponsors of these federal projects and take the lead in developing beneficial uses for the dredged material.
Environmental regulations
- Ports control emissions by retrofitting old equipment, using cleaner fuels, improving operational efficiency and purchasing new equipment.
- Ports use container-on-barge movements, reducing need for shipping by truck.
More modern cargo-handling facilities needed to enhance trade
- The total freight moving through Texas ports is growing, creating jobs.
More port security grants needed
- Millions spent to tighten security since 9/11. And federally mandated security costs are expected to grow.
- Congressional grant allocation levels are not currently enough to protect Texas ports.
More federal investment needed for maintenance and deep-draft construction
- Regular dredging is required to keep ports safe and productive.
Freight mobility—overcome the weak link
- Efficient access is needed between ports and inland intermodal connections.
- Need enhanced state and federal funding to provide such access.
