Houston Community News >> Port of Houston to Receive Extra 1.7 Million Dollar Security Grant
9/29/2006 Houston (PRIMEZONE)-- The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has announced that the Port of Houston Authority (PHA) will receive $1.754 million of the nearly $168 million allocation in Round 6 federal port security grants. The PHA will use the funds to cover part of the costs of enhanced access control and closed-circuit television (CCTV) systems. The portions of the projects' costs that are not covered by the grant will be paid by the PHA.
To date, the PHA has been awarded a total of $33.29 million in federal port security grants. The grants are awarded as reimbursements for expenditures on port security-related equipment and services. The PHA has an on-going, cohesive port security program involving infrastructure enhancements and installation of communication and surveillance equipment and technologies.
"In a world of threats and risks ranging from hurricanes to terrorist acts, security remains a top priority for the Port of Houston Authority, and we greatly appreciate the vital support from the U.S.
Department of Homeland Security," stated Jim Edmonds, PHA Chairman. "To help maintain the uninterrupted, free flow of cargo that is so essential to the economic vitality of the Houston region, the port authority will put these federal grant funds to good use in bolstering our technological capabilities. This will greatly complement our ongoing efforts to work cooperatively with congressional leaders, the U.S. Coast Guard, and all of our port security partners at the local, state and federals."
Project 1 -- Access Control for Critical Buildings; Turning Basin CCTV Connection to Fiber Network.
This project involves the installation of identification card readers at the PHA's Barbours Cut (BCT) container and cruise terminals, Sims Bayou, and the south side of the Turning Basin as well as the installation of access control technologies at BCT's administration building, the Port Coordination Center, and the PHA's executive building. This project also includes the fiber connection of CCTV systems at the Turning Basin. The estimated cost for completion of this project is $1.18 million.
Project 2 -- Woodhouse Terminal and Morgan's Point Access Control; Morgan's Point CCTV.
The second project is the installation of access control and CCTV systems at Morgan's point as well as access control at the PHA's Woodhouse Terminal. The estimated cost for completion of this project is $1.16 million.
CONTACTS:
Argentina M. James, Director of Public Affairs
Office: (713) 670-2568 Cell: (713) 306-6822 ajames@poha.com
Felicia Griffin, Communications Manager
Office: (713) 670-2644 Cell: (713) 594-5620 fgriffin@poha.com
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 tenth 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. For more information, please visit www.portofhouston.com