“We remain confident of continued growth in the container sector, both on the import and export
side, during the remainder of this year and into 2018,” Guenther said.
Terminal operations recovered very well following the events of Hurricane Harvey, the executive
director reported to the Port Commission of the Port of Houston Authority, during the regular
monthly meeting held today.
“We anticipated that we would receive most of the cargo that was initially diverted following the
storm…and we did,” he stated.

General cargo facilities handled nearly 400 thousand tons of steel, “which is a large volume as
we caught up for the week or more of time lost due to the storm,” Guenther shared. “Port
Houston’s results remain strong overall for the year,” he added.
Port Commission Chairman Janiece Longoria lauded the support given by industry and Port
Houston employees following the aftermath of Hurricane Harvey. The commission later formally
acknowledged relief funds donated by South Carolina Ports employees and the American
Association of Port Authorities Port Employee Relief Fund (AAPA) and provided to qualified Port
Houston employees impacted by the storm.

The commission also acknowledged the Hurricane Harvey Relief efforts by Georgia Ports
Authority employees and the greater Savannah community. Those relief supplies were provided
in four twenty-foot equivalent containers and sent to Houston by that port. A portion of those
supplies were made available to Port Houston employees impacted by Harvey, and the balance
of those items was donated to local relief agencies.

During the meeting, Port Houston employees were also recognized for their donation of about
$120,000 to the Employee Catastrophic Assistance Fund for their fellow employees adversely
impacted by the historic weather event.
Other actions taken today by the Port Commission further demonstrated its commitment to
sustaining growth for Port Houston. The commission authorized an agreement with the Texas
Department of Transportation for the construction and operation of a rail spur across Texas State
Highway 146 and Red Bluff Road, to facilitate in a phased approach future intermodal service to
the Bayport Container Terminal.

The Commission also approved an Industry Track Agreement with Union Pacific Railroad for track
and switch modifications at the Bayport Terminal. Construction of the spur and crossing and the
track agreement support the development of Phase One of the Bayport Master Rail Plan, as well
as rail service to the 56-acres being developed at Bayport South.
Finally, the Port Commission was pleased with today’s delivery to Port Houston of three super
post-panamax wharf cranes. These new cranes bring to seven the total number of cranes with
this size and capacity operating at Barbours Cut, and are part of a $700 million modernization
program underway at the terminal to further its increase cargo handling efficiency and capacity