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For more information:
Jim Kruse
713-686-2971
j-kruse@tamu.edu

The Center for Ports and Waterways

Established in 1995 by the Texas State Legislature, the Center for Ports and Waterways (CPW) is a consortium of universities staffed with experts in maritime issues who work together as a team in research, technology development and education activities. In addition to the extensive resources and capabilities of the Texas A&M University System—available through the lead agency, the Texas Transportation Institute (TTI)—CPW consortium members include:

  • Lamar University
  • Texas A&M University at Galveston
  • Texas A&M University at Corpus Christi
  • The University of Texas at Brownsville
  • Texas A&M University at College Station

Researchers at these universities represent all perspectives of engineering, economics, transportation, marine biology, geosciences and other marine-related disciplines. This multidisciplinary expertise enables the CPW to develop practical and cost-effective solutions to the challenges that face the maritime industry.

In 1998, the CPW was also designated by the Maritime Administration as a National Maritime Enhancement Institute for research, technology transfer and training.

In 2001, a Multimodal Freight Transportation Program (MFTP) was formed at TTI to provide oversight and coordination among the Center for Ports and Waterways, the National Pipeline Research Center, and the Association of American Railroads (AAR) Affiliated Labs program, as well as aspects of highway freight transportation. This structure ensures that the research conducted by the CPW is integrated with other aspects of freight transportation. Port and waterway issues are analyzed within the context of a freight system, resulting in findings and recommendations that work in the real world.

The CPW's broadly based program includes research, education and technology transfer on a multitude of topics, including:

  • marine and maritime technologies,
  • planning and policy,
  • public awareness,
  • economics,
  • environment, and
  • virtually any research that fosters productivity and competitiveness in the maritime/marine industry.

This research is conducted at all governmental levels: local, state, regional and national. Many topics involve issues at multiple levels.

The director of the CPW also serves as the National Ports and Harbors Specialist for Texas Sea Grant, a part of the College of Geosciences at Texas A&M University. The Sea Grant program provides additional resources for both research and outreach (technology transfer) on a national level. This unique "blending" of organizations allows the CPW to address issues from several different perspectives.

"The CPW is involved in many facets of the marine transportation industry," says Center Director Jim Kruse. "For example, current projects include an analysis of ocean observation systems in the Gulf of Mexico, an analysis of cross-Gulf (US-Mexico) shipping ventures over the last decade and what can be done to promote their success and participation in a study of infrastructure needs for the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway. We are also involved in issues related to invasive species being transported by ballast water. The broad range of talent we have in the consortium allows us to assemble a research team that is uniquely qualified to address the issue at hand."

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