Callan Marine Awarded $104 Million Contract for Brazos Island Harbor Deepening

Increased activity at the Port of Brownsville has allowed the port to climb to 50th position among 150 U.S. maritime ports for the movement of waterborne cargo, according to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ 2022 Annual Report. Photo courtesy of Port of Brownsville.

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (“USACE”) Galveston District (“SWG”) awarded a contract in the amount of $104 million to Callan Marine Ltd. for deepening of the Brazos Island Harbor (“BIH”) Ship Channel in south Texas, August 12, 2024.

USACE and the Port of Brownsville will be deepening the ship channel by 10 ft. to a new authorized depth of 52 ft. for a 13-mile segment. This section of the project is known as BIH Segment B.

The contractor is required to remove approximately 7,000,000 cubic yards of material using a pipeline dredge to deepen the navigation channel which will be placed into Placement Area (PA) 5B which was improved by the Port of Brownsville along with PA 7 in preparation of this contract award. Work is scheduled to begin October 2024 with an estimated completion date of June 2026.

“Our close partnership with the Port of Brownsville has been instrumental in making this channel deepening project a reality,” said Ramon F. Navarro, a senior project manager with SWG’s Project Management Branch.

Navarro also noted another ongoing construction contract focused on deepening the remaining section of the Port of Brownsville’s ship channel, known as the BIH Segment A project. This complementary effort is being spearheaded by the private partner NextDecade LNG, working in conjunction with the Port of Brownsville. The BIH Segment A project involves deepening the channel entrance to a depth of 54 ft. for the initial 4.5-mile stretch, before transitioning to a depth of 52 ft. for the subsequent 7.5-mile segment. This results in a total combined length of 12 miles for the BIH Segment A deepening work. In addition to the channel excavation, the project scope encompasses placement area improvements, dredging of berthing areas, and the installation of navigation aids.

“The port’s critical cost-sharing participation has allowed the Corps to undertake this transformative infrastructure improvement, which will have lasting positive impacts on the south Texas economy. By deepening the ship channel, we are not only fulfilling our mission to maintain America’s vital waterways, but also generating immense economic benefits through increased trade, shipping efficiencies, and supporting the region’s industries,” said Col. Rhett Blackmon, SWG’s district commander.

“The deepening of the Brownsville Ship Channel is a monumental project that will set the Port of Brownsville on a strong path for the future,” said Port of Brownsville Director and CEO William Dietrich. “This investment ensures that the port remains a critical player in the global supply chain, supporting sustainable growth for diverse industries. Our partnership with the USACE and NextDecade on the BIH project further solidifies the port’s commitment to advancing our position for the betterment of our region and the communities we serve.”

The Port of Brownsville ranks 50th in the nation among 150 maritime ports for the movement of waterborne cargo, according to USACE’s 2022 Annual Report. The major commodities moved through the port include wind energy components, petroleum products, ores and minerals, steel and other metals, vegetable oils, grains, and a variety of aggregates.

SWG was established in 1880 as the first engineer district in Texas to oversee river and harbor improvements. The district is directly responsible for maintaining more than 1,000 miles of channel, including 270 miles of deep draft and 750 miles of shallow draft as well as the Colorado River Locks and Brazos River Floodgates.