Port of Brownsville Receives Marine Highway Corridor Designation

Brownsville, Texas, August 11, 2010: After a four month process and the consideration of various applications, The Port of Brownsville and Port Manatee received the Marine Highway Designation from the U.S. Department of Transportation. The Marine Highway Designation and the various infrastructure projects currently underway are indicative of the progress at the Port of Brownsville and its expansion efforts in the container/break bulk cargo business. In the spring, U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood vowed to utilize the country’s waterways to transport cargo. The Marine Highway designation is great for commerce, safety, and the environment. It will reduce the number of trucks on the already congested U.S. Highway system, therefore increasing safety, and also provides a benefit for the environment. Transportation by sea is cleaner in terms of green house gas emissions. The Port of Brownsville, the local community, and the region stand to benefit from this designation as it will lead to job creation and preferential treatment for any future federal funding programs. In addition, the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Maritime Administration will provide assistance in identifying potential freight and passenger markets. Project sponsors will compete for future funding; however, there will be an initial $7 million dollars available for the funding of projects. The designation provides support for the Port’s current container on barge operation with Port Manatee, FL. “The Port of Brownsville, Port Manatee container on barge operation not only links two regions of the country via the marine highway but it also links two countries” said Eduardo A. Campirano, Port Director.