The Port of Corpus Christi commission approved entering into a Memorandum of Understanding with Saint-Gobain Norpro ('Saint Gobain') to establish a dedicated monthly shipping service between the Port of Corpus Christi and Venezuela. The service would call on the Port of Corpus Christi once a month and bring in approximately 5,000 tons of super sacked cargo north bound. St. Gobain will utilize 50% of the number nine warehouse (approximately 50,000 square feet) and the vessel will berth at the north side general cargo docks. The super sacked cargo will consist of Ceramic Proppants, which will be distributed by truck on a monthly basis throughout Texas.
'We are very pleased to establish this new two-way service to Latin America which is the result of a prior trade mission to Venezuela and our diligent efforts over the years to promote the concept of such a service,' said Ruben Bonilla, Chairman of The Port of Corpus Christi.
Southbound cargo would consist of break bulk, bulk and project cargo. Southbound port's of call in Venezuela would include Puerto Cabello, Guanta, and Puerto Ordaz on the Orinoco River. Puerto Ordaz is one of the main ports on the Orinoco River and is located approximately 170 nautical miles inland from the sea. Puerto Ordaz is strategically placed to provide direct transportation service to Matanzas, Ciudad Guyana, Ciudad Boilvar as well as other industrial areas in the country's southeast corridor. The Guyana region has one of the best road networks in Venezuela to include bridges and recently constructed 4 and 6 lane highways connecting Puerto Ordaz with the Matanzas Industrial Zone and all neighboring cities.
SCM Lines is the vessel operator that will provide the service, which has a fleet of three self-geared multipurpose vessels. The vessels average 350 feet in length; have a beam of 60 feet and deep draft of 25 feet.
