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Port of Corpus Christi remains open as COVID-19 pandemic evolves

The Port of Corpus Christi (PCCA) will remain open to provide critical infrastructure services and functions, as defined by the US Department of Homeland Security’s Cybersecurity & Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), the port authority announced in a statement on Monday.

Michele Labrut, Americas Correspondent

March 24, 2020

1 Min Read
CORPUS CHRISTI. JPEG
Photo: Port of Corpus Christi

In accordance with the President’s updated “Coronavirus Guidance for America,” CISA developed the “Essential Critical Infrastructure Workers” list. The Port of Corpus Christi meets the definition of a “critical infrastructure industry” by CISA and thereby has a special responsibility to continue operations throughout the COVID-19 crisis.

Federal guidance ensures that local orders will not significantly impact the Port of Corpus Christi if the State of Texas or Nueces County issues a shelter-in-place order. Rather, the Port of Corpus Christi will remain accessible to Port Authority employees, marine terminal operators, labor, vessel pilots, tug and barge operators, seafarers, stevedores, vessel agents, line handlers and key personnel needed to maintain operations in support of the energy industry.

“As a major gateway for US energy to other states and our global allies and trading partners, we have a distinct responsibility to our customers and stakeholders to continue business operations with as minimal impacts as humanly possible, keeping public health and safety at the forefront,” said Sean Strawbridge, ceo for the Port of Corpus Christi.

“These are certainly troubling times we are navigating. However, we are committed to protecting both lives and livelihoods by mitigating risks through appropriate screening protocols and social distancing while keeping critical services and infrastructure functioning as normal as possible.”

Related:Port of Corpus Christi closes 2019 with record tonnage

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About the Author

Michele Labrut

Americas Correspondent

Michèle Labrut is a long-time Panama resident, a journalist and correspondent, and has continuously covered the maritime sector of Central & Latin America.

Michèle first came to Panama as a press attaché to the French Embassy and then returned to the isthmus as a foreign correspondent in the 1980s.

Author of Seatrade Maritime's annual Panama Maritime Review magazine and of several books, Michèle also wrote for Time magazine, The Miami Herald, NBC News and the Economist Intelligence Unit. She has also collaborated in making several documentaries for the BBC and European and U.S. television networks.

Michèle's profession necessitates a profound knowledge of the country, but her acumen is not from necessity alone, but a genuine passion for Panama.

In 2012 she was awarded the Order of Merit (Knight grade) by the French Government for her services to international journalism and in 2021 the upgrade to Chevalier grade.

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