The Port of Corpus Christi had a record-breaking first half of the year moving 52.2 million tons of products between January 1 and June 30, 2018. This number exceeds the tonnage moved in the first half of 2017 by 926,000 tons – an overall two percent increase year over year. The growth can be attributed, in part, to a nine percent growth in crude oil and a two percent increase in all other petroleum products, compared to the same period in 2017.
“In 2017, the Port recorded its second highest year ever in tonnage, at 102.4 million tons, and we set a new record in operating revenue with $95.3 million. This is not an anomaly. These numbers continue to grow in 2018,” said Sean Strawbridge, CEO of the Port of Corpus Christi. “We are elated by the momentum and consider this a credit to the leadership of our Commission and the continued investment by our industry partners.”
The increasing tonnage further solidifies the Port’s push for the Channel Improvement Project (CIP), which includes dredging the Ship Channel from 47 feet to 54 feet and widening it to 530 feet, to accommodate larger vessels and allow for safer and more efficient traffic flows.
“The timing is ripe as we are seeing significant growth in export of U.S. crude oil and we soon will start to export liquefied natural gas. Our focus is intensifying and sustaining regional economic development, while also best serving our customers,” said Charles W. Zahn, Jr., Port of Corpus Christi Commission Chairman.
