Freeport

·     <span-size:9.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#333333">The port of Houston (public and private terminals) are operating normally.

·     <span-size:9.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#333333">The Houston Pilots moved 21 arrivals, 33 departures, and 6 shifts yesterday. This is near average.

·     <span-size:9.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#333333">For today, they have already completed 2 departures and 3 shifts. They have boarded 11 arrivals and 7 departures, and there are 13 arrivals, 7 departures, and 1 shift in the queue.

·     <span-size:9.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#333333">US Coast Guard has issued a national MSIB regarding the modification of inspection protocol.

·     Galveston Wharves at the Port of Galveston<span-size:9.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#333333"> remains open and continues to move cargo at its terminals. Currently, all terminals are open and operating with the exception of the two cruise terminals. Four of the five cruise ships that homeport in Galveston are docked at the two cruise terminals and sailing periodically with only crew members onboard while daily maintenance is being performed.

·     Port of Corpus Christi<span-size:9.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#333333"> continues normal operations and does not anticipate significant impacts by the “stay at home” order issued March 25 by Nueces County.

·     Port of Brownsville<span-size:9.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#333333"> is currently operating under the existing communications protocol dealing with its overall comprehensive emergency plan. On March 27, Brownsville Navigation District (BND) unanimously approved the deferral of the previously scheduled May 2nd commission elections until November 3rd.

·     Port Freeport<span-size:9.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#333333"> is maintaining regular services levels and normal terminal operations. All terminals along the Freeport Harbor Channel are operational and conducting vessel operations. Information regarding any changes to operations at Port Freeport will be distributed via the Port’s website (www.portfreeport.com/about/covid19), the Port’s emergency notification system and other means as needed.

·     Panama Canal<span-size:9.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#333333">, per Panama Ministry of Health protocols, does not permit vessels with individuals who have test positive for COVID-19 to conduct port operations (transit the canal). However, the Ministry of Health is granting two cruise ships a humanitarian exemption to transit from Chile to Florida.

·     Georgia Ports Authority<span-size:9.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#333333"> reports that Georgia’s ports continue steady operation with normal, 24-hour vessel operations and terminal services, as well as Monday-Friday truck gate hours from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. in Savannah.

·     Port of New Orleans<span-size:9.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#333333"> (Port NOLA) cargo operations and New Orleans Public Belt Railroad (NOPB) operations continue to function as normal. Cruises are suspended until at least April 14. (https://www.portnola.com/info/coronavirus-covid-19-information).

·     Port of South Louisiana cargo operations continue as normal. (http://portsl.com/port-status/)

·     <span-size:9.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#333333">Sector New Orleans <span-size:9.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#333333">is requesting all vessel Masters complete an attestation letter regarding the health of their crew.

·     <span-size:9.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#333333">The $2.2 trillion CARES Act passed Friday includes a provision for Congress to be able to spend all future annual receipts to the Harbor Maintenance Trust Fund. The provision does not allow Congress to spend the monies already in the HMFT.

·     <span-size:9.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#333333">March 28: CISA issued version 2 of guidance on critical infrastructure workforce. This guidance expands or clarifies the guidance on what constitutes a critical infrastructure worker. Some key additions/updates for port-related industries:

·     <span-size:9.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#333333">(New) Transportation supporting animal agricultural industries.

·     <span-size:9.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#333333">(New) Energy/commodity trading/scheduling/marketing functions, who can't perform their duties remotely.

·     <span-size:9.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#333333">(Expanded) Maritime transportation workers, including dredgers, port workers, mariners, ship crewmembers, ship pilots and tug boat operators, equipment operators (to include maintenance and repair, and maritime-specific medical providers), ship supply, chandler, and repair companies.

·     <span-size:9.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#333333">(New) Workers who support the inspection and maintenance of aids to navigation, and other government provided services that ensure continued maritime commerce.

·     <span-size:9.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#333333">(New) Workers who support necessary credentialing, vetting and licensing operations for transportation workers.

·     <span-size:9.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#333333">The Governor of Texas has issued an order effective at noon on March 28 requiring that persons arriving by air from New York, New Jersey, Connecticut or New Orleans be quarantined for 14 days. The order allows the Governor to extend the quarantine to other points of origin. While workers in critical infrastructure are exempted, the Texas Division of Emergency Management has declined to follow the CISA guidelines for critical infrastructure workers and will instead require each individual to apply for exemption.

·     Greater Houston Port Bureau

·     US Coast Guard

·     US Coast Guard Sector Houston-Galveston

·     Department of Homeland Security

·     Centers for Disease Control & Prevention

·     Harris County Public Health

·     Houston Emergency Operations Center

·     Lone Star Harbor Safety Committee

·     Small Business Administration

·     U.S. Government/White House

·     State of Texas

·     FEMA Rumor Control Transportation Security Administration

·     State of Texas COVID-19 Strike force