PHA Commission Approves $20 Million in Bayport Projects

Also Approves Installation of TWIC Readers At Some Gates


HOUSTON, May 20, 2009 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Port Commission of The Port of Houston Authority (PHA) approved up to $20 million for Bayport projects, including the design of a Marine Emergency Building and the purchase of nine diesel electric container cranes, as well as the installation of TWIC readers at gates at Barbours Cut and Bayport container terminals, at its regular May 19 meeting.

BAYPORT MATTERS

(Agenda I3) Commissioners approved awarding a contract to Konecranes Heavy Lifting Corporation for nine diesel electric container yard cranes for Bayport Container Terminal for $16,470,480.

(Agenda I10) Commissioners approved advertising and receipt of competitive sealed proposals for construction of a Marine Emergency Building at Bayport Container Terminal. The Port Commission previously engaged Prozign Architects to design the facility, which is expected to offer about 4,600 square feet with emergency equipment bays, living quarters and emergency equipment storage. The project site work includes adjoining parking, service roads, utilities and a guard booth with associated gate arms. The total cost is expected to range between $1 million and $5 million.

SECURITY MATTERS

(Agenda I4) The commission approved awarding a professional services contract to Shrader Engineering Company, Inc. for TWIC implementation at the Barbours Cut and Bayport gates for $226,345. The design will provide for changing out the existing driver's license readers to TWIC-compatible readers, installation of associated equipment and cabling at the pre-check entry gates, Entry and Exit Gates for Barbours Cut and Bayport. This design will comply with the federal government's TWIC regulations, implemented pursuant to the Maritime Transportation Security Act. The TWIC program aims to ensure that individuals who pose a threat do not gain unescorted access to secure areas of the nation's maritime transportation system.

HOUSTON PORT REGION COFFEE SYMPOSIUM MATTERS

(Agenda M2) Commissioners approved sponsorship of the 5th Annual Houston Port Region Coffee Symposium for $50,000. In collaboration with the Economic Alliance Houston Port Region and Greater Houston Coffee Association, PHA would serve as a host for the symposium, scheduled for October 5, 2009, at the Hilton-Americas Hotel. The one-day event, expected to attract more than 1,000 coffee industry and community leaders, aims to promote the region's rising stature in the global coffee trade and economic development opportunities in the Houston port region. It culminates with a recognition dinner in connection with the Economic Alliance Houston Port Region's annual banquet, where small businesses in the port region will be recognized for their accomplishments. The alliance serves as the non-profit organization handling the financial processes of the symposium for the three partnering organizations. PHA's sponsorship will assist with offsetting conference costs not covered by registration fees and other sponsorships. PHA will also provide other in-kind services to help promote and ensure the success of the event.

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, there are more than 8,000 vessel calls 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. The second recertification of those facilities in 2009 included an extension for the state-of-the-art Bayport Container Terminal. 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

The Port of Houston Authority logo is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/newsroom/prs/?pkgid=720

To access the port's Web site photo gallery, please visit http://www.portofhouston.com/publicrelations/publicrelations.html and click the link for PHA Photo Gallery.



            

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