WEST GULF PORTS SEE 7% RISE IN 2001 TONNAGE

WEST GULF PORTS SEE 7% RISE IN 2001 TONNAGE    The 10 ports of the West Gulf Maritime Association reported a 7-percent increase in tonnage in 2001.
   The overall total of cargo in bulk products, bagged goods, general cargo and containers for the year was 208.3 million tons, up 7 percent from 205.6 million tons in 2000.
   Bulk cargo, the largest category for the nine Texas ports and one Louisiana port, totaled 187.6 million tons, up 6 percent. Container tonnage rose 0.2 percent to 11.2 million tons.
   Other general cargo tonnage, including fruit, lumber, newsprint, steel and other products, declined 2.8 percent to 8.07 million tons.
   The association represents 64 maritime companies in the Texas ports of Beaumont, Brownsville. Corpus Christi, Freeport, Galveston, Houston, Orange, Port Arthur, Texas City and the Louisiana port of Lake Chares.