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Published July 19, 2010

In the last column I described the rationale for and the beginning of a car passenger ferry between South Texas and Central America as well as the concept described as the Pan American Maritime Highway.
The reasons that supported the project ten years ago are still valid today and the demand has more than doubled as indicated by the large increases in vehicle exports registered at the U.S. Customs Port at Los Indios, Texas.
Further, In 2006, The IDB “Pan America Maritime Highway Feasibility Study” commented: “We conclude that a US–Honduras service based on a conventional ferry and geared toward the Transmigrantes hold promise. The US–Honduras service based on a conventional ferry could be expanded to include a Mexican call, once demand from US adventurers, campers, and residents develops.”
The current narco-violence in Mexico seems to be centered right along the path that the “Transmigrante Caravans” must take, and makes an alternative critical to the safety of these enterprising folks that demonstrate the best ideals of their new country of residence. Further, establishing this new access to new trading partners could be the answer to our weakened economy.
Additionally, the presence of the Maritime Highway will provide new markets for producers in the U.S. as well as the America south of us.
It could also lead to a new distribution pattern that would draw the Western Hemisphere closer and improve the economy for everyone.
In selecting ports to serve there are a variety of indicators that would be more advantageous than others.
I found what I considered the ideal set of circumstances for a start-up at Port Isabel, Texas because it was near the concentration of those that needed the services, because of the new requirements established by the government of Mexico.
Now that the “Transmigrantes” are more sophisticated, I believe that other ports could establish themselves as “Bridges” on the “Pan-American Maritime Highway.
Federal statistics shows that more than 100,000 ‘transmigrante’ vehicles crossed into Mexico enroute to Central America. Surveys have shown that they come from all over the U.S. using Interstate 10 coming from the east and west and US 59 south from Mid-Ameica; then approaching the border using US 83 and US 77.
For years these modern day wagon trains, have been familiar travelers to most of us.
An ideal port to service these folks would be a smaller one, where many in the community speak Spanish and the community supports the presence of ferry and the travelers. There should be a number of places with adequate space and facilities where the travelers can park their vehicles to accomplish the various government requirements and prepare for loading onto the vessel.
There should also be a variety of sellers of last minute purchases to take on the two day trip and provide that forgotten gift for a relative. There should also be food vendors to supply the travelers while waiting.
The port should also be relatively close to the open sea to reduce fuel costs and enable ship services to open and serve the passengers at the earliest moment. The closeness to the sea is also important to reduce the impact of fog which can become a problem at different times of the year and possibly delay the departure or arrival by a day or more if not planned for.
As an illustration of how a modest port could be developed, we could look at Port of El Mesquital within the city limits of Matamoros, Mexico.
After a situation of stable peace and order has returned to Mexico, a modest facility could be developed with relatively reasonable expense.
Because Matamoros is right on the border where the Transmigrantes begin a port there could be an economic boon.
The first step would be to complete the improvement to the jettys that was begun several years ago and re-dredge the bay area to accommodate an appropriate vessel, to a depth of twenty-five feet.
The dock itself could be as simple as an “L” shaped pier with an angled ramp to provide space to unload the vehicles. A passenger access ramp is needed along the long side of the pier to complete the minimal needs.
The existing concrete pier could be easily modified to add a hydraulic ramp that would provide flexibility needed to dock a variety of smaller vessels and sea going barges as well as oil rig service boats to support the new oil fields just off shore.
With just a modest investment the port would supply the foundation for economic flexibility in the region that could be the beginning of a future and an economy that would be a model for the other developing countries around the Caribbean.
Perhaps our friends at the Inter-American Development Bank could provide appropriate guidance in the future to support a more stable and independent economy that would assist the recovery after the drug wars.
In Texas several ports similar to Port Isabel exist such as Freeport, Port Aransas, and the former naval installation at Ingleside, TX, within the Port of Corpus Christie. Corpus Christie also has other facilities including one that hosted the “MV Regal Voyager” down town.
Most importantly, the needed flexible, multi-use facilities can be developed without an enormous expense
Crucial to the basic needs the above port facilities are easily accessed from the normal traffic routes.
Once a determination is made, adequate port facilities will be required but when considered in comparison with other commercial shipping is modest in cost and support a variety of other shipping.
A terminal facility is currently required by U.S. federal authorities to process travelers and cargos as well as tending to the needs of the travelers.
Additional staging areas for the embarking travellers will be needed that provide markers that match the vessel’s storage decks, to prepare for loading and provide for the inspections required by the various authorities.
When Isabel Cortes began, the pier comprised of a bulldozed ramp adjoining an existing pier and a tent terminal facility. The main office was housed in a nearby strip mall. While modest it served the purpose adequately.
Many small ports already have facilities that will serve the purpose with but a few modifications.
Once established the facility will also draw more and different uses, not even conceived as yet.
In order for this kind of transport to fulfill its need, it must be inexpensive so that most “real folks” can afford it. That also means that communities in the destinations should be able to afford it as well.
I envision a time and economies, similar to those in the U.S. in the 1940’s and 1950’s, that were supported by the regional bus lines. For years the modest cost encouraged trade and transport in the smaller communities with affordable transport for local products and supplies as well as a way to go home to mom and dad.
If we think of the Pan-American Maritime Highway supported by vessels that can carry the transport vehicles of today and bring Central and South America closer to North America and that will enable commerce to expand everywhere in this hemisphere.
Just imagine a “Walmart” type distribution system with a center in Cuba! Products would be able to move, at modest cost, back and forth easily enhancing the entire western hemisphere. The Pan-American Maritime Highway would be the rope pulling everything together spreading the seeds of growth that will provide an economy that will provide opportunities for the best and brightest at home. .
Currently, the trucking industry is the blood in America’s veins, using the ‘Maritime Highway’, they could add new customers any where in the hemisphere by just driving onto one ferry or another and get off in Central or South America or one of the island nations at a modest price.
Needless to say there are bumps in the road including some federal requirements that could be applied differently or changed to facilitate the Maritime Highway. That is in the last installment.