HOUSTON, TEXAS, US — Port Houston has been awarded a $25 million grant from the US Department of Transportation’s Maritime Administration (MARAD) that will be used to upgrade and improve the efficiency of a grain elevator leased by Hansen Metro Elevation.

The grant, announced Nov. 15, supports the Agriculture Export Improvement and Community Resilience Project, which includes a new high-efficiency grain truck receiving system, a more efficient truck loadout system, and a new outbound conveying system, capable of loading a 30,000-ton vessel with a 75% reduction in loading time. 

These improvements are planned to increase the grain elevator’s throughput capacity from 700,000 tons per year to 2.1 million, providing an anticipated economic benefit of approximately $255 million for the local community. Additionally, the increased capacity would give 1,329 more farms access to global markets and enhance global food security.

Port Houston’s proposal is one of 11 large Port Infrastructure Development Program (PIDP) grant projects selected from across the nation, aimed at enhancing the safety, reliability, and resiliency of ports.

“This important project will improve the efficiency and competitiveness of United States grain exports, improve air quality by reducing dust and truck emissions, and support neighboring communities through stormwater improvements,” said Charlie Jenkins, chief executive officer of Port Houston. “We are once again grateful for the work of the US Department of Transportation’s Maritime Administration and the Port Infrastructure Development Program, supporting Port Houston’s mission of moving the world and driving regional prosperity.”

The updates are expected to result in a significant reduction in emissions and improved safety for the area, largely through eliminating the use of heavy-duty trucks, currently needed to transfer outbound products to ship berth, the port said. Removing these trucks from the operation will result in improved environmental quality for nearby residents and workers around the project site, by reducing emissions by an estimated 32%, or 13,710 tons, over 30 years.

A new high-efficiency dust collection system will be installed to replace the existing baghouse system. These improvements, with integrated explosion suppression systems, should operate more efficiently and improve housekeeping, and reduce dust emissions and overall carbon emissions.

The project also will provide additional stormwater capacity with improved channel outfalls that will allow current and expected stormwater flows to move more efficiently. 

These planned improvements will be executed in part with the cooperation of Hansen Metro Elevation, affiliated with Hansen-Mueller Co., a longtime Port Houston user and collaborative participant in the grant application, and Nautilus International Holding Corp.