American Commercial Barge Line (ACBL), Jeffersonville, Ind., on Monday announced it has signed a lease agreement with the Port of Houston Authority to develop 28 acres of submerged land for dedicated barge fleeting operations.
The new site expands the footprint of ACBL's existing Lost Lake Fleet location along the Houston Ship Channel in Channelview, Texas. Planned infrastructure work includes new mooring structures, dredging, and other improvements to support high-volume operations, the company said. ACBL also extended its current fleeting lease tied to the Lost Lake Fleet.
ACBL declined to provide further information about the project's timeline, lease terms, and financial details. A spokesman said the company will add incremental fleeting capacity as the project progresses.
The Houston Ship Channel is one of the busiest waterways for barge traffic in the United States, with more than 200,000 barge transits per year.
Peter Coxon, ACBL CEO, said, "This investment reflects our increased focus on the Gulf Coast market and the critical role our Houston Operations play in ACBL's transformation. Continued investment in our liquid business and in the Houston area is central to that strategy."
Alex Pucheu, senior vice president of ACBL's fleets and terminals business, said the expansion has broader implications beyond the Gulf Coast. "Expanding our capacity in Houston strengthens not only our Gulf Coast operations, but our broader network across 15 states," he said.
Pucheu also noted the Port of Houston Authority's role, calling it "a great partner in our expansion."
ACBL operates more than 130 towboats and 3,500 barges across an inland marine network spanning 15 states. The company provides dry cargo, liquid cargo, and fleet and terminal services.
