PHA Commission Considers $1.4 Million in Contracts and Projects for Bayport Container, Cruise Terminals

News was prepared under the information support of Online Daily Newspaper on Hellenic and international Shipping "Hellenic Shipping News".

28 Sep 2007

The Port Commission of the Port of Houston Authority (PHA) will consider $1.4 million in contracts and projects for the Bayport container and cruise terminals to permit it to meet future demands - including a new 50-acre container yard - that will require heavy-capacity forklift and yard tractors, on Tuesday, Sept. 25, beginning at 9 a.m. in the board room of the PHA Executive Building, 111 East Loop North (Exit 29 off Loop 610) in Houston. Chairman Jim Edmonds will preside over the meeting with Commissioner Kase Lawal, Commissioner Steve Phelps, Commissioner Jim Fonteno, Commissioner Jimmy Burke, Commissioner Janiece Longoria and Commissioner Elyse Lanier. (Agenda G4) The Commission is being asked to authorize a change order to McCarthy Building Companies, Inc. for Bayport Terminal Complex Phase 1 Container Yard - Stage 1 for $186,929. This is required to adjust manhole elevations to facilitate drainage as advanced fill is placed, to modify crane tiedown locations, and to revise duct bank locations to accommodate the position of utilities for buildings under design. (Agenda G5) Commissioners are being asked to authorize a change order to Morganti Texas, Inc., for Bayport Cruise Terminal Complex - Phase 1 Terminal Building for $180,938. This change order modifies steel frame connection details and paint systems that will reduce future maintenance; adds a hand sink in the kitchen area and includes revisions of finishes for appliances. The change order would compensate the contractor for additional site work needed for special site access and to facilitate construction. It also adds translucent wall panels on the east side of the terminal building.  (Agenda G11) Commissioners are being asked to approve a $68,000 increase in the professional services contract to Lockwood Andrews and Newnam, Inc. for Bayport Phase 1A Container Yard. The proposed amendment would compensate the designer for special technical and environmental studies conducted during construction and for electrical distribution studies related to total energy consumption at the container terminal. (Agenda K2) Commissioners are being asked to authorize approval of specifications and advertising and receipt of competitive sealed proposals for the purchase of one 49,000-pound capacity forklift machine for Bayport Container Terminal for $280,000. By March 2008, an additional 50-acre container yard will be completed. As terminal demands increase, the maintenance of cranes and terminal equipment used to support vessel operations will require the use of a large forklift for continuous lifting of heavy components, such as spreader bars, tires, motors and gearboxes. Bayport has a similar forklift machine purchased in October 2005 but an additional unit is needed to ensure continued service to the industry. This new unit will also be required during vessel operations when a spreader bar needs to be replaced and used for other facility needs, such as moving barricades for traffic control. (Agenda K3) Commissioners are being asked to authorize approval of specifications and advertising and receipt of competitive sealed proposals for the purchase of eight yard tractors for Bayport Container Terminal for an estimated $650,000. Six yard tractors are being used to transport containers to and from the USDA inspection ramp and other areas of the facility. With the March 2008 completion of an additional 50-acre container yard, a total of eight additional yard tractors will be needed to meet future terminal demands and provide adequate levels of service.  This news release is not a substitute for the official PHA agenda. To view the complete agenda, please visit: http://portofhouston.com/publicrelations/meetings.html The Port of Houston Authority owns and operates the public facilities located along the Port of Houston, the 25-mile-long complex of diversified public and private facilities designed for handling general cargo, containers, grain and other dry bulk materials, project and heavy lift cargo, and other types of cargo. Each year, more than 7,000 vessels call at the port, which ranks first in the U.S. in foreign waterborne tonnage, second in overall total tonnage, and 10th largest in the world. The Port Authority plays a vital role in ensuring navigational safety along the Houston Ship Channel, which has been instrumental in Houston's development as a center of international trade. The Barbours Cut Container Terminal and Central Maintenance Facility are the first of any U.S. port facilities to develop and implement an innovative Environmental Management System that meets the rigorous standards of ISO 14001. Additionally, the port is an approved delivery point for Coffee "C" futures contracts traded on the New York Board of Trade's Coffee, Sugar & Cocoa Exchange.