US ports urged to be ready for big Panama Canal

Shipping in the Houston-Galveston area is expected to increase tremendously with the expansion of the Panama Canal, but the region needs to be sure it is ready to meet the coming tidal wave of new business opportunities, says a Texas A&M University at Galveston professor.

William Merrell, who has more than 35 years of maritime experience and specializes in coastal sustainability, says the $5.2 billion upgrade of the Panama Canal will have an international impact on the Texas gulf coast and the Houston Ship Channel and the ports of Galveston and Houston must work together to meet the increased new challenges.

“Everyone needs to be on the same page because it’s a case of ready or not – the ships are coming,” Merrell says.


Source: The Maritime Executive