By Paul Scott Abbott, AJOT Traditional and alternative energy sectors are among forces fueling burgeoning activity at ports along the Texas Gulf. From oil and gas to wind-power components and wood pellets, energy-related commodities continue to propel progress at terminals throughout the Lone Star State’s coast, where several ports benefit from moves of military cargo as well. In addition, more than one Texas port has come under a new top executive during the first half of this year. Here, on a port-by-port basis, are some of the latest developments at Texas ports, starting just west of the Louisiana state line, then proceeding down the coast toward the Mexican border: Port of Port ArthurThe Port of Port Arthur is looking to add a wood pellet export operation, with intent to ink an agreement this summer with a European firm in that business. That firm, as yet undisclosed, is planning to invest about $11 million to build five silos and related infrastructure at the port’s Berth 6, from which it anticipates annually exporting some 500,000 tons of product, with hopes to have its first vessel loading in July 2013. To accommodate the pellet export operation, the port is planning to add between 500 feet and 1,000 feet of additional berth and spend $1 million to improve a truck access road. Also soon to be announced are plans, in conjunction with two corporations, for a new liquid bulk transfer terminal. Meanwhile, linerboard exports remain strong, and baled woodpulp imports and project cargo activity have been steady, while military cargo volume has risen and vessel layberthing has picked up. In addition, the port has prepared for hurricane season by installing two natural gas generators at the terminal and one at administration building in an effort to offset power interruptions. Port of Beaumont The armed forces drawdown in the Middle East also is bringing about a rise in military cargo activity at the Port of Beaumont, the busiest U.S. strategic military port, which, over the past 10 years, has handled about 40 percent of all military equipment for operations Iraqi Freedom, Enduring Freedom and New Dawn. At the Port of Beaumont’s original facilities in Jefferson County, the port is investing more than $16 million in rail improvements, while, on the other side of the Neches River, in Orange County, as part of infrastructure development on a 240-acre, port-owned tract, a $14 million rail project is under way to furnish a direct link to multiple Class I railroads and a new access road is being built to connect with nearby Interstate 10. Bulk petroleum, refined products and petrochemicals handled by private terminals on the Sabine Neches Waterway continue to make up the majority of the approximately 78 million tons of Beaumont cargo, helping make the port No. 4 in the nation in total tonnage handled. Port of HoustonThe Port of Houston Authority, which in late April removed the word “interim” from the title of its new executive director, Leonard Waterworth, has targeted $3 billion in capital improvement needs over the next 15 years at what continues to be the nation’s No. 1 foreign commerce port. As part of this effort, the authority has initiated a self-funded, two-year initiative of between $120 million and $150-million to deepen and widen the federal channels alongside the berths at its Bayport and Barbours Cut container terminals, with the permitting process under way. Plans call for deepening each of the channels to 45 feet from 40 feet, matching the depth of the main Houston Ship Channel. In addition, each channel is to be widened, and, at Barbours Cut, the channel is to be extended to facilitate larger cranes needed to work larger ships. At Bayport, the planned buildout of the container terminal is continuing. When fully developed, the state-of-industry terminal is to have seven container berths with capacity to annually handle 2.3 million twenty-foot-equivalent units on a complex with 376 acres of container yard and a 123-acre interm