March 5, 2009

Sulphur, La. – The West Calcasieu Port announced this week that it has begun seeking bids for the dredging
of the port’s west barge basin located along the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway .

“The West Cal Port will begin advertising this week in local and state publications to alert maritime
excavation contractors and other interested parties that we are seeking qualified, competitive bids for the
dredging project,” said Lynn Hohensee, director of the West Calcasieu Port.

He noted that servicing commercial barge transportation operations along the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway is
critical component of the port’s operations and that Hurricane Rita in 2005 and Hurricane Ike in 2008
contributed significantly to “silting in” of the facility’s west barge basin.

“We are anxious to attract qualified contractors through our competitive bidding process during the month of
March, a timeframe required by law,” Hohensee said. “We will then identify the most qualified bidder with the
most competitive proposal as soon as possible so that we can have our barge basin back in shape by late
summer.”

Hohensee noted that the timing is critical so that the port’s barge transportation infrastructure can be at 100
percent efficiency as Southwest Louisiana enters into the “the most active segment of the region’s hurricane
season”.

West Cal Port Engineer Chuck Stutes with Sulphurbased Meyer & Associates has estimated that
approximately 180,000 cubic yards of spoil will need to be dredged in order to return the port’s west barge
basin to a depth of 12 feet. The dredged spoils will be deposited on a 40acre spoils area at the port that has
been approved by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

Hohensee explained that the WCP’s largest tenant, Devall Towing, currently operates one of the largest
barge fleeting facilities along the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway, and that demand for quality barge docking
space is essential if the company is to meet growing demand shallowwater maritime transportation in
Southwest Louisiana.

Significant funding support will come from a $1.5 million Port Priority Fund grant from the Louisiana
Department of Transportation & Development. Additional funds project expenses will be reimbursed by the
Federal Emergency Response Administration as a result of the destructive impact of Hurricanes Rita and
Ike.

Located 12 miles south of Interstate 10 just west of Highway 27, the WCP offers 2,500 feet of waterfront
property on the GIWW.

Current tenant activity includes barge operations, maritime fueling service, dry cargo barge cleaning, diesel
repair, heavyequipment contracting and maritime supply operations.

Potential bidders seeking additional information on the port’s dredging project are encouraged to contact
Meyer & Associates (3376258353) for copies of bid documents.

Download the story here.