For the first time in the port’s history, Port of Corpus Christi was included in President Trump’s proposed budget.
The fiscal year 2019 budget includes $13 million for the port’s Ship Channel Improvement Project (CIP) as part of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) civil works budget.
“This is a historic day for the Port and we are honored to have the CIP included in President Trump’s budget,” Sean Strawbridge, Port of Corpus Christi CEO, said. “Investing in this infrastructure expansion project is an investment in the U.S. economy and the leadership of American energy. Our challenge now is to ensure that we have an appropriate level of funds to complete this project in a time frame that ensures the competitiveness of American energy. We look forward to working with our partners at USACE in the days and weeks ahead and commencing next steps of this project as soon as possible.”
Once CIP is completed, the port will be able to increase its exports of oil and natural gas.
Last year, the port exported more than $6 billion of crude oil to U.S. trading partners, according to Energy Analysts International.
Port of Corpus Christi is the nation’s fourth largest port by tonnage.