Ports America, Cooper/T. Smith form joint venture in Houston

The United States’ largest independent marine terminal operator and stevedore company, Ports America, has merged its breakbulk operations at the Port of Houston with Cooper/T. Smith, forming a new joint venture called Cooper/Ports America, LLC.    Ports America and Cooper/T. Smith have merged their breakbulk operations at the Port of Houston into a new joint venture called Cooper/Ports America, LLC (C/PA), according to a release issued Monday by Ports America.
   The new joint venture commenced Oct. 1.
   In addition, C/PA has agreed to acquire all the assets of Shippers Stevedoring and Chaparral Stevedoring upon startup. Integrated Marine Services LLC (IMS), which is the empty container yard facility located adjacent to the Barbours Cut Terminal, is also part of the new joint venture.
   “The combined businesses of Ports America, Cooper/T. Smith, Shippers Stevedoring, Chaparral Stevedoring and IMS will position C/PA as the premier full-service stevedore, terminal operator, container yard storage, and maintenance and repair company in the Houston market with operations at City Docks (Turning Basin), off-dock CFS in Bayport and Barbours Cut,” Ports America said.