Port Arthur, Texas has opened a $9.5-million terminal for use of general cargo ships. The opening of this terminal marks the end of years of planning by civic and business leaders who have sought a public shipping area to go with the private docks geared almost exclusively to the handling of petroleum products. The terminal was built from the ground up on the combined planning of all segments of the transportation industry.
Port Director Dow Wynn stated that the terminal complex is adaptable for container handling, even though few shipping lines have shown an interest in using the port for container cargoes. Cranes and other equipment necessary to handle containers, plus paved storage areas, have been included in the new terminal. Provisions have been made for the quickest vessel-railcar-truck turnabout.