PORT OF GALVESTON ASSISTS IN GUATAMALAN VOLCANO RELIEF EFFORTS

(Galveston, TX) June 19, 2018 –The Port of Galveston assisted in coordinating the shipment of relief supplies for families displaced by the volcanic eruption in Guatemala. Since the Fuego volcano 25 miles southwest of Guatemala began erupting on June 3, 1.7 million people have been affected. More than 4,000 people forced from their homes are staying in emergency shelters to escape dangerous ash, gasses and mudslides.

 
Relief efforts between the City of Mission, and the Ministerios Alfa y Omega Church based in Mission, Texas involved the collecting of supplies to help the victims of Guatemala. The goods were transported from the City of Mission where they were packaged and placed on pallets for safe transport to the Port of Galveston on Tuesday, June 12. The supplies consist of bottled water, clothing, and non-perishable food items. 

“We are grateful to Del Monte Fresh Produce, and Port staff for coordinating the transport logistics of this shipment of goods to the people of Guatemala effected by the volcano eruption. It’s great to see organizations such as the City of Mission Police Department, and Ministerios Alfa y Omega Church  extend their goodwill to those in need,” said Port Director and CEO Rodger Rees. 

The container carrying humanitarian relief was loaded onto Del Monte Fresh Produce’s vessel Star Leader on Monday, June 18 and leaves the Port of Galveston today on its journey to the Port of Santo Tomas de Castilla in Guatemala. The vessel is expected to arrive on Friday, June, 22. 

About the Port of Galveston

 The Port of Galveston is the region’s gateway to the Gulf for cruise ships and international trade. Located at the entrance to Galveston Bay, the Port leases and maintains facilities on both Galveston Island and Pelican Island. The Galveston Island operations are a diversified mix of cargo including roll-on-roll-off cargo, dry bulk, export grain, refrigerated fruit, general cargo, and project cargo. In addition, the Port handles over 1.8 million cruise passenger movements annually. The Port’s Pelican Island facilities comprise a combination of undeveloped property, an active ship and rig repair facility, and liquid bulk operations. The Port is a self-supporting enterprise utility with operating revenues of approximately $38 million. It does not rely on tax dollars for operations.

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