July 9, 2024
From Galveston Wharves Port Director and CEO Rodger Rees
Port of Galveston staff and port partners are working diligently to safely open the port for business after Hurricane Beryl struck the area the morning of Monday, July 8. Roadways, including Harborside Drive, are now passable. Port administration offices are closed today due to power outages. Power remains out for areas of the port and city.
Port vessel operations remain suspended with case-by-case considerations based on hydrographic surveys of Galveston Harbor and port berths to assure navigable depths.Â
CRUISE
The Royal Caribbean Mariner of the Seas was cleared to dock at 1 p.m. today to debark passengers. Embarking passengers are asked to arrive after 4 p.m. at their scheduled window to board for an 8 p.m. sailing. Future RCCL sailings will return to the regular schedule.
Passengers are encouraged to check their email or cruise app for updates from the cruise lines. Â
For those whose vehicles were parked at the port during Hurricane Beryl: Port police found no visible evidence of flooding in Port of Galveston cruise parking lots.
OTHER PORT OPERATIONS
Cargo operations remain suspended pending review from the U.S. Coast Guard. We expect to be open for cargo operations on Wednesday or Thursday.
Port tenants and users are allowed to access port property through Gate 40 to inspect their areas. Â
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers will begin surveying Galveston Harbor today. The Galveston/Texas City Pilots and tow boats have surveyed portions of the harbor. Hydrographic surveys will begin today for port berths. Port staff and engineers have largely completed infrastructure inspections.Â
About Galveston Wharves at the Port of Galveston
Located at the entrance to Galveston Bay and the Houston Ship Channel, Galveston Wharves has been a thriving maritime commercial center since 1825. Just 45 minutes from open seas, the 840-acre port has infrastructure and assets to serve growing cruise, cargo and commercial businesses. As the fourth most popular U.S. cruise port, Galveston welcomed almost 1.5 million cruise passengers in 2023. As one of the busiest cargo ports in Texas, Galveston moved 3.8 million tons of cargo in 2023 and has an estimated annual state economic impact of $2.1 billion.
