Posted on June 5, 2023
Port Freeport in the US Gulf Coast has celebrated the completion of the Berth 8 Construction Project.
On 30 May, Port Freeport and guests joined together for a ribbon cutting ceremony to mark the finalisation of the project.
On 14 November 2019, the Port Freeport Commissioners approved a construction contract with McCarthy Building Companies, Inc. for the expansion of Velasco Container Terminal.
The expansion project includes the construction of a multipurpose Berth 8, a 927-foot linear extension to the existing 800-foot Berth 7 plus an 85-foot Ro-Ro platform.
On 12 May, McCarthy submitted its notice of substantial completion to Port Freeport marking the end of the three-year $146 million project.
Phyllis Saathoff, Executive Director/CEO, stated: “Port Freeport is excited to commemorate the completion of the Velasco Container Terminal expansion project and announce the new berth is ready to receive vessels”.
Saathoff continued by explaining that the addition of this berth puts the port in position to receive the larger deeper-draft vessels in service and propel the growth of commerce for existing and future customers.
Berth 8 has a depth of 51 feet and will accommodate additional post-Panamax gantry cranes capable of serving the larger container vessels transiting the expanded Panama Canal.
The 85-foot Ro-Ro platform at the end of Berth 8 will allow opportunities for further growth in the Ro-Ro segment along with serving finished vehicles, high, heavy and breakbulk operations.
“I’ve served as Port Commissioner for two terms, and during my tenure, the Port Commission has made decisions to dutifully grow the port through investments in infrastructure” said Port Freeport Chairman John Hoss.
Hoss continued by stating that the Port remains committed to advancing key strategic initiatives that will keep pace with the growth at Port Freeport while continuing to bring more jobs and economic prosperity to its community.
