Corpus Christi completes ship channel upgrade, opens to deeper drafts

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Galveston District, and the Port of Corpus Christi Authority announced on Monday the completion of the Corpus Christi Ship Channel Improvement Project (CCSCIP).

IMAGE: The Port of Corpus Christi. Wikimedia Commons

The ship channel improvement project began in 2019. It improved approximately 11.9 miles of channel, deepening it from 47 to 54 feet, and widening it from 400 to 530 feet.

Known as the “Energy Port of the Americas,” the Port of Corpus Christi is one of the major crude oil export hubs in the US.

According to a source, most of the restrictions at the port are on the terminal side.

"The port was already bringing in very large crude carriers (VLCCs) for cargo operations, but with the recent channel improvements, these vessels can now be loaded to a deeper draft," a source said.

This means they can carry more cargo per trip, improving efficiency and reducing the need for lightering.

Regarding the impact on the bunker fuel market, according to a source, while the number of ships coming to the port may increase, it won’t affect the local bunker fuel market immediately.

"This is because the terminals at the port still need to review and update their rules about where ships can refuel. VLCCs usually have to refuel offshore because the terminals they use don’t allow refueling at the dock. This is mainly because the area where the ships dock is too narrow, not because the water is too shallow," the source added.

Authorities also noted that about five million cubic yards of dredged material from the project were used to restore marshes in Corpus Christi and Nueces bays.

By Gautamee Hazarika

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