Intermodal Briefs: Port Houston, IMTT/Colonial Group

Port Houston Bayport Container Terminal. (Photo: Business Wire)

Port Houston in Texas reports that a sustained import dwell fee will be implemented and an optional excessive import dwell fee has been authorized in response to growing container cargo volumes. Also, International-Matex Tank Terminals (IMTT) sells two Savannah, Ga., terminals to Colonial Group, Inc.

The Port Commission of the Port of Houston Authority on Oct. 27 authorized amendments to Tariffs Nos. 14 and 15 covering Barbours Cut Terminal and Bayport Container Terminal at Port Houston. Effective Dec. 1, 2022, a sustained import dwell fee will be implemented, and an optional excessive import dwell fee has also been authorized. The move is in response to continuing container cargo volume growth—September was the second-highest month in 2022—and “is aimed to help mitigate the issue of long-dwelling loaded import containers by incentivizing cargo movement,” according to the Authority, which noted the fee would be assessed directly to the BCOs (Beneficial Cargo Owners) on the eighth day after the expiration of free time.

The Port Commission also approved providing the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers up to $42 million to support Fiscal Year 2023 for the design and construction of the Houston Ship Channel Expansion-Project 11, as well as a $7 million contract to Rigid Constructors, LLC, to construct a 12-acre interim container storage facility expansion to redevelop the west end of Barbours Cut terminal.

New Orleans, La.-based IMTT on Nov. 1 closed on the sale of its Savannah North and Savannah South terminals to Colonial Group division Colonial Terminals, Inc., whose headquarters are in Savannah. The amount of the cash transaction was not disclosed. The liquid terminals, located on the Savannah River, offer approximately two million barrels of storage capacity with rail, truck and deep-draft marine access.

With the acquisition, Colonial Terminals, Inc. said it has increased its storage infrastructure to more than 6.5 million barrels and added three berths along with approximately 130 acres of Savannah River frontage. Products stored at these facilities include industrial chemicals, pine chemicals, specialty chemicals, petroleum, base oil, and asphalt.

“Colonial Terminals has experienced tremendous growth over the past five years thanks to the hard work of our team members and commitment from our customers,” said Colonial Group President and CEO Christian Demere. “We are excited to add new employees to the Colonial family, expand our ability to serve our customers, and ensure the capacity for continued growth.”

“The compelling offer from a local buyer with strong market connections will support our continued strategy to balance our legacy petroleum assets with new investments in energy transition projects,” said Carlin Conner, Chairman and CEO of IMTT, which operates 17 other bulk-storage terminals in the U.S. “We believe this transaction underscores the value of the liquid storage space. I want to thank our employees for helping to establish these terminals as premier locations in the Savannah market.”