Port of Galveston Opens

[Galveston Cruiser]

Though its facilities are still heavily damaged from the effects of Hurricane Ike, Port of Galveston officials said Monday that several key port tenants are now receiving shipments, with some restrictions.

 

Del Monte Fresh Produce NA Inc. on Monday 10/06/08 was expected to receive its first refrigerated fruit-laden vessel, the MV Valencia Carrier, at its port facilities at Pier 16-18, while other customers began shipments a week earlier.

 

A pair of chartered vessels for Mitsubishi Power Systems arrived on Oct. 1 and Oct. 4, delivering windmill towers and other windmill power generator equipment. The shipments were approved for movement out of Galveston after the Texas Department of Transportation was able to complete its evaluation of the highway system leading off the island — including inspection of the Interstate 45 Causeway Bridge — to approve the issuance of permits for heavy and over-sized truck cargo over the roads.

 

The Board of Trustees of the Galveston Wharves, which oversees port operations, gave Port Director Steven Cernak temporary emergency authority to spend as much as $55 million on initial repairs to get shipments moving again. The city has asked the federal government for assistance in providing some $500 million for other port repairs.