Ships passing along the Houston Ship Channel. Credit: Business Wire / Port Houston.

Weeks Marine and Curtin Maritime have secured contracts worth a total of $430m from the Port of Houston Authority Port Commission for the Houston Ship Channel expansion project in the US.

Under the contract, the companies will be responsible for the completion of the remaining Galveston Bay segments of the expansion project, called Project 11.

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Port Commission of the Port of Houston Authority chairman Ric Campo said: “It’s an exciting day for Port Houston and the entire region and the millions of people who rely on the Houston Ship Channel for their livelihood and to bring them essential goods.

“One of today’s contracts to support Houston Ship Channel Expansion – Project 11 is historic and, to our knowledge, the largest award ever made.”

Project 11 will widen the Houston Ship Channel by 170ft, from 530ft to 700ft, along its Galveston Bay reach.

The Port Commission has approved $450m for all the items on the agenda to support the channel expansion.

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According to the authority, around 52% of the contract amount will be used to create marshes, bird islands and oyster reefs.

The Houston Ship Channel is the busiest waterway in the country, according to the US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE).

Around 82% of the funding is provided for Project 11, and plans are underway to receive the remaining federal funds.

The USACE study revealed that Project 11 is expected to add more than $133m a year in national economic value once it becomes operational.

In 2019, the Port Commission of the Port of Houston Authority announced its plans to accelerate the widening and deepening of the Houston Ship Channel.

The $1bn project to expand the Houston Ship Channel commenced earlier this month.

The first dredging contract was awarded last year by the Port Commission, and the full project is slated for completion in 2025.

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