Corpus Christi port sells US naval base to oil company as navy quits

THE Port Corpus Christi on the south Texas Gulf Coast and Oxy Ingleside Energy, a petroleum company with decades of business dealings in the area, have finalised the sale of the larger portion of former US Naval Station Ingleside (NSI) for a sum of US$82.1 million

The sales includes 815 acres, the 1,100-foot double deck concrete Alpha Pier and over 2,000 feet of wharf frontage adjacent to a deep water turning basin. In addition, the sale includes most of the industrial support facilities at the base, plus 435 acres of "greenfield" property next to it, said a port statement.

"We are pleased the sale was finalised. The Port Commission and staff look forward to a great future working together to better the Coastal Bend Region." said port commission chairman Mike Carrell.

NSI was designated for closure under the US Base Realignment and Closure Act of 2005, which resulted in the departure of the navy in April 2010 after which the ownership of the base reverted to the Port of Corpus Christi Authority.

The Port of Corpus Christi said it is the fifth largest port in the United States in total tonnage. The Port's mission is to "serve as a regional economic development catalyst while protecting and enhancing its existing industrial base and simultaneously working to diversify its international maritime cargo business."

"The port provides quick access to the Gulf and the entire United States inland waterway system, also delivering outstanding access to overland transportation with on-site and direct connections to three Class-1 railroads and non-congested interstate and state highways," said a port statement.