A subdivision of the State of Texas, Calhoun Port Authority is responsible for managing and maintaining the Port Lavaca-Point Comfort facilities. The Port Board, with six elected members, oversees Port Lavaca which operated by a full-time professional staff. The Calhoun Port Authority is the non-federal sponsor for the Matagorda Ship Channel.
Port Lavaca supports Texas' chemical manufacturing industry and is the gateway from Texas' Mid-Coast Region to world markets. The primary cargoes moving through Port Lavaca include chemicals and petrochemicals, agricultural fertilizers, and aluminum ore.
- Bulk and breakbulk terminals
Port Lavaca's Dry Bulk Dock began operating in 2011 to unload bulk materials. This modern public deep-draft dock can handle bulk carriers as long as 225.6 meters (740 feet). A spiral conveyor unloading tower travels on dock rails to reach cargo holds and the continuous conveyor system that reaches industrial sites located near the dock.
General cargo facilities in Port Lavaca handle containerized, breakbulk, and heavy-lift cargoes. The general cargo dock can accommodate vessels up to 228.6 meters (750 feet) in length. There is a 2322-square-meter (25 thousand square foot) dockside warehouse and transit shed at the Port Lavaca general cargo terminal, and rail service supports the warehouse. There are also open storage areas and truck scales at this Port Lavaca facility. This Port Lavaca facility has easy access to the Nation's highway system via US Highways 59 and 87 and Texas highways 35 and 172.
The Multi-purpose Dock in Port Lavaca handles project cargoes, roll-on/roll-off loads, heavy equipment, and dry bulk carried by ships and barges. The Multi-purpose Dock can accommodate both specialized ocean-going and general purpose vessels. The 216.7-meter (711-foot) bulkhead is completely fendered, and open storage areas for staging or consolidating cargo surrounds the 2118-square-meter (22.8 thousand square foot) concrete apron.
The City of Port Lavaca owns, and Farmland Industries operates the Port Lavaca Wharf to receive dry bulk fertilizer which is stored in seven bins in the timber warehouse at the rear with capacity for 15 thousand tons. Two surface rail tracks serve the warehouse and connect with Union Pacific. The Port Lavaca Wharf has berthing distance of 152.4 meters (500 feet) with alongside depth of 3.7 meters (12 feet).
The City of Port Lavaca owns, and Broadway Fish Market Inc. operates the Port Lavaca Receiving Wharf, the Port Lavaca Mooring Basin, and the Mooring Wharves. All of these have alongside depth of 3.7 meters (12 feet).
The Port Lavaca Receiving Wharf is used to moor, ice, and fuel fishing vessels and receive seafood. A pipeline connects the wharf to four storage tanks with capacity for 1670 US barrels, and three icing hoses connect the wharf to the ice plant at the rear. The Port Lavaca Receiving Wharf has berthing distance of 146.3 meters (480 feet).
The Port Lavaca Mooring Basin is used to moor fishing vessels. Its three berthing stations have berthing distance of 45.7, 48.8, and 54.9 feet (150, 160, and 180 feet). Also used to moor fishing boats, the Port Lavaca Mooring Wharves have berthing distance of 33.5, 178.3, and 228.6 meters (110, 585, and 750 feet).
- Oil / Liquid terminals
The Port Authority operates three docks in Port Lavaca for liquid cargoes that include chemicals and petroleum and other liquid bulk products. The main facility has a 335.3-meter (1100-foot) pier with two berths and many loading arms. A third berth is located at the Port Lavaca Multi-purpose Dock described above.
The modern Port Lavaca Liquid Cargo Ship Terminal has pipe rack capability, continuous video monitoring, containment systems for hazardous materials, stormwater collection systems, and remote control firefighting systems. Because the pier was constructed to be deepened with future improvements in the ship channel, vessels should contact the Port Lavaca Operations Director for current operating depths.
The Port Lavaca Liquid Cargo Barge Terminal has six slips open to many users on a cooperative basis. The terminal has many loading/unloading arms and can accommodate specific user needs with additional equipment as needed. The Port Lavaca Liquid Cargo Barge Terminal has ample pipe rack capacity on the dock and in the landside area. The berths have a 4.3-meter (14-foot) operating depth. To the west of the Port Lavaca barge dock is a public barge staging area with ten mooring dolphins used to moor barges before and after cargo transfer.
The City of Port Lavaca owns, and Helena Chemical operates the Helena Chemical Wharf to receive liquid fertilizers and to moor barges and fishing boats. One surface rail track connects the wharf to the tank farm at the rear of the wharf and to the Union Pacific Railroad. A pipeline connects the wharf to five steel storage tanks at the rear with total capacity for almost 143 thousand US barrels. Port Lavaca's Helena Chemical Wharf has berthing distance of 114.3 meters (375 feet) with alongside depth of 3.7 meters (12 feet).
- Rail and intermodal connections
Port Lavaca-Point Comfort facilities are served by the Point Comfort and Northern Railway, a short-line connecting Port Lavaca to the Union Pacific's main line about 32 kilometers (20 miles) to the north.
- Port services
The City of Port Lavaca owns, and the Port Commission manages the Nautical Landings Office Park and Marina and other city properties that include the city harbor and the harbor of refuge.
Port Lavaca and the Nautical Landings Marina are located at the head of Lavaca Bay off Matagorda Bay. Port Lavaca provides ample space for its live-aboard community at competitive rates, so there may be a waiting list. Rates are calculated by the length of the slip ($4US per foot), and the charge for electricity is $15US.
The Nautical Landings Marina is located at the end of US Highway 87 in Port Lavaca. The marina has a breakwater, floating docks, and cone-tipped pilings. The slips have water and electricity. The marina also has a coin-operated laundry, restrooms and showers, meeting rooms for tenants, and a large deck area for social events.
Review and History Port Commerce Cruising and Travel Satellite Map Contact Information
