Port of Gulfport faces challenges

GULFPORT, Miss. (WALA) - A report says the Port of Gulfport faces numerous challenges as it tries to capitalize on $570 million in federal money it was given after Hurricane Katrina.

A report dated July 30 says the 36-foot channel depth limits the vessels that can use the port. Other challenges include a lack of warehouse space and potential congestion due to nearby rail crossings.

The Sun Herald reports (http://bit.ly/QbHhJj ) that the plan was presented to Gov. Phil Bryant after he visited there Monday.

After Katrina, then-Gov. Haley Barbour pitched a "port of the future" with a 50-foot-deep channel to lure ships sailing through the Panama Canal.

Port Director Don Allee says dredging to 50 feet is not practical because the rest of the port is too small to handle the largest ships.