Port of Galveston rebuilding business after Hurricane Ike
The Port of Galveston said Monday it is “easing back up to full strength,” following what it said was hundreds of millions of dollars in damage to the port and the Galveston Country Navigation District inflicted by Hurricane Ike on Sept. 13.
“We were able to act quickly on numerous recovery and cleanup initiatives,” said Steven Cernak, port director. “But I would be remiss if I didn’t add that extensive additional capital investment will be needed to return the port to its pre-hurricane capabilities.”
The port’s board of trustees gave Cernak temporary emergency authority to spend up to $55 million on repairs.
Cernak said the port handled its first vessel nine days after the storm and has since handled five more. These include vessels delivering roll-on/roll-off cargo and windmill components.
The port said its ability to receive and process ro/ro and project cargoes was greatly assisted by the cooperation of the Texas Department of Transportation, whose local personnel expedited the evaluation of the highway system leading from the Port of Galveston through the Houston Metropolitan Area, including the Galveston Causeway Bridge, and the issuance of permits for heavy and oversized truck cargo over the roads.
Galveston said Del Monte Fresh Produce N.A. Inc., one of the port’s long-established tenants, will be receiving its first weekly refrigerated vessel following Hurricane Ike this week.
Deputy Port Director Michael Mierzwa said, “the 14-foot storm surge that washed over much of the city flooded most of the port’s ground-level assets, infrastructure and cargo facilities, as well as the cruise terminals, leaving soggy sheetrock and floating debris in its wake.” He added, “Most facilities have reopened, with some restrictions.” Permanent electric power and water services are expected to be in place this week at most port facilities.
The port plans to have cruise ships return by the end of October.