Facility Development: Corpus Christi, Saint John
Port Corpus Christi & Martin Midstream Partners Celebrate the Groundbreaking of Oil Dock 15
A groundbreaking ceremony on July 14 marked the beginning of construction of Oil Dock 15 in the Inner Harbor area of the Port of Corpus Christi (POCC).
In 2012, long time port customer, Martin Midstream, began increasing its Corpus Christi presence by adding new crude oil storage tanks and trans-loading capabilities. In 2015, it ranked among the port’s top five customers in 2015.
The port authority and Martin Midstream finalized negotiations for the construction of the new crude oil dock following the lifting last December of the U.S. government’s ban on crude oil exports.
Oil Dock 15 will accommodate trans loading through a new 24" pipeline originating from Martin’s 900,000 barrel POCC crude oil terminal. Oil Dock 15 will accommodate up to 52 feet of draft and feature a 1,100-foot slip. It will be capable of loading 30,000 barrels of crude oil per hour. Three loading arms will accommodate inland and ocean-going barges and ships, including Aframax and neo-Panamax class tankers. View a detailed schematic of the new dock.
Said Ruben Martin, president and chief executive officer of Martin Midstream GP LLC: "We are excited to have reached an agreement with the Port of Corpus Christi for construction of a new dock dedicated to Martin Midstream. This dock will further enhance the capability of our Corpus Christi Crude Terminal by giving us additional takeaway capacity and marketing opportunities."
"Port Corpus Christi is continuously looking for opportunities to improve its infrastructure to remain competitive," said Port Commission Chairman Charles W. Zahn, Jr. "The construction of a new oil dock is one of them. Martin Midstream Partners is a great customer of the port. We are excited to be able to provide the infrastructure they need to enhance their liquid movement capabilities through our port."
Port Corpus Christi is one of America’s top petroleum handlers, with volume in 2014 totaling almost 84.4 million short tons, including crude oil and refined products.
Government Funding for Terminal Upgrades at Port Saint John
The governments of Canada and New Brunswick are committing more than C$136 million in funding to modernize Port Saint John’s Westside terminals.
New Brunswick Premier Brian Gallant and Dominic LeBlanc the federal minister of Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard announced the funding in Saint John on July 12.
This project involves upgrading and consolidating the Rodney and Navy Island terminals to accommodate larger vessels. New operational systems and technology will enhance cargo-handling capabilities.
The total estimated cost of the project is C$205 million, with C$68.3 million coming from the federal New Building Canada Fund’s National Infrastructure Component, C$68.3 million from the Province of New Brunswick and the balance from the port authority.
Saint John is a year-round, deep-water port handling an average of 28 million metric tons annually of bulk, breakbulk and containerized cargo. It is also hosts cruise ships in the Canada–New England market.
Dignitaries gather at Port Saint John to commit more than C$136 million to modernization of Port Saint John's cargo terminals and harbor deepening project. From left: Port Saint John President Jim Quinn; Port Saint John Board Chair Peter Gaulton; New Brunswick Service Minister Ed Doherty; Rick Doucet, provincial minister responsible for Opportunities New Brunswick; New Brunswick Premier Brian Gallant; Dominic LeBlanc, Minister of Fisheries, Oceans, and the Canadian Coast Guard; Wayne Long, Member of Parliament for Saint John-Rothesay; Karen Ludwig, MP for Southwest New Brunswick; and Saint John Mayor Don Darling.
Photo/Port Saint John