Houston port to raise tariffs in 2010

Houston port to raise tariffs in 2010    The Port of Houston Authority said Tuesday it will raise tariffs on container cargo by 3 percent in 2010 to help offset an expected 8 percent increase in operating costs.
   The port will also raise the tariff on general cargo by 2 percent.
   'The tariff increase will continue to enable the PHA to remain competitive in the current marketplace as well, and help cover the increasing costs of operating its terminals,' the port authority said. 'The new rates, which go into effect on Jan. 1, 2010, will continue to be competitive with those charged by other U.S. ports in the region, and were deemed necessary to address PHA's 2010 budget, that projects operating increases of 8 percent on container operations and 8.7 percent on general cargo operations. PHA's terminal operating efficiency is considered among the highest in the industry in terms of number of containers per hour, and PHA charges remain extremely competitive with those charged by ports around the country.'
   The PHA said it operates the largest container facilities on the U.S. Gulf Coast and is home to the nation's most productive breakbulk operations.
   'After considerable study, research and dialogue, it became overwhelmingly clear that moderate increases to tariffs made good sense, in both the short- and long-term,' said PHA Executive Director Alec Dreyer. 'Our biggest costs are labor, infrastructure and federally mandated security commitments. The costs of all three are rising and, as an organization, we are absorbing most of those cost increases.'
   PHA Chairman James T. Edmonds said: 'the port commission made the tough decision recommended by staff, to absorb much of our escalating operating costs and pass a portion onto the steamship lines.'