b'14American Journal ofTransportation ajot.comGalveston expects wind turbine project cargo growthBy Pete Goldin, AJOTProjectcargo,consistingprojectcurrentlyundercon-mainly of wind turbine com- struction. SunZia will be the ponents, is picking up at Portlargest wind farm in the West-ofGalveston.TheporthasernHemisphere,consisting beenhandlingtheimportofof 900 wind turbines spread wind turbine pieces since theacrossLincoln,SanMiguel early2000s,andtodaytheand Torrance counties in cen-imports are predominantly GEtral New Mexicoand Port andSiemens-Gamesawindof Galveston is helping make turbine blades from Europeanit happen.countriessuchasSpainandProjectcargothats Denmark.The port processedwhatweare,saysRodger a total of 38,511 tons of windRees, Port Director and CEO turbine cargo in 2024. of Galveston Wharves, which Bladesaslongas248.4is celebrating its 200th year in The 840-acre Port of Galveston leases and maintains a wide range of cargo facilities on the deep-water Galvestonfeetandtowercomponentsoperation this year. With Port Harbor, which is ranked among the top 40 busiest U.S. cargo waterways.are moved from the port byof Houston specializing in con-rail and truck to wind farms intainers nearby, Rees says Port Port of Galveston looks to future growthTexas, New Mexico and otherofGalvestonisnottryingto nearbystates.Forexample,compete for that business, but during 200th anniversary celebration GE Vestas blades and towersinstead focusing on breakbulk, are imported through Galves- project cargo and Ro/Ro.The Port of Galveston is celebrating its 200th anniversary this year and look- tononthewaytoSunZia,(GROWTHcontinued on ing forward to future cargo growth once port improvements are completedamulti-billion-dollarwindpage 50)next year. By Pete Goldin, AJOTEstablished in 1825 back when Texas wassary will fund maritime scholarships for Texas still part of Mexico, the port has operated asA&M University at Galveston.the Galveston Wharves since 1940. The high- The celebration focuses on where weve lightofthebicentennialcelebrationwillbebeenbutalsowhereweregoing,explains two special events hosted by the port, includ- Rodger Rees, Galveston Wharves Port Direc-ingafreePartyonthePierpresentedbytor and CEO. It highlights what weve been Royal Caribbean on Oct. 17 at Pier 21; and theable to achieve here, especially in the last five 200th Anniversary Gala on Oct. 18 at Galves- years, and positions us for substantial growth. tonIslandConventionCenter,presentedbyWhat I see in the 200th anniversary is a rebirth Carnival Cruise Line, with entertainment pre- for Port of Galveston.sented by Callan Marine. The port leases and maintains a range of The Galveston Wharves is also publishingcargofacilitiesonthedeep-waterGalveston a140-pagehardcoverbookincollaborationHarbor, which is ranked among the top 40 busi-withGalvestonHistoricalFoundation,andest US cargo waterways. In addition to cargo,Galveston has been a preferred port for wind turbine importers due to its netproceedsfromtheports200thanniver- (CELEBRATIONcontinued on page 20) skilled labor, rail, highway access and clearances for the components.Your Just-In-Time turnkey facility in Savannah, GA! Trucking / Heavy Haul / OOG Drayage Warehousing / Rail / Import / Export Project Cargo / Crane / [email protected] / 912-201-0050 / 866-522-2200'