For the first time, the Port of Corpus Christi’s Ship Channel Improvement Project (CIP) was included in the FY 19 Presidential Budget for U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) Coastal Navigation Construction that was released by the White House Monday.
“This is a historic day for the Port and we are honored to have the CIP included in President Trump’s budget,” said Sean Strawbridge, Port Corpus Christi CEO. “Investing in this infrastructure expansion project is an investment in the U.S. economy and the leadership of American energy. Our challenge now is to ensure that we have an appropriate level of funds to complete this project in a time frame that ensures the competitiveness of American energy. We look forward to working with our partners at USACE in the days and weeks ahead and commencing next steps of this project as soon as possible.”
The President’s budget includes $13 million in funding for port of Corpus Christi’s CIP in the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in its civil works budget. Completion of the CIP will allow the Port to increase export volumes of U.S. oil and natural gas, supporting the nation’s allies abroad and bolstering domestic energy production. According to Energy Analysts International, the Port of Corpus Christi exported more than $6 billion of crude oil to U.S. trading partners in 2017 contributing to offset the United States trade deficit.
As the leading U.S. Crude Oil export port and a major economic engine of Texas and the nation, Port Corpus Christi is the 4th largest port in the United States in total tonnage. Strategically located on the western Gulf of Mexico with a 36 mile, 47 foot (MLLW) deep channel, Port Corpus Christi is a major gateway to international and domestic maritime commerce. The Port has excellent railroad and highway network connectivity via three North American Class-1 railroads and two major interstate highways. With an outstanding staff overseen by its seven member commission, Port Corpus Christi is “Moving America’s Energy.”
Source: Port of Corpus Christi