February 4, 2013

West Calcasieu Port: What do you know?
“We’re a pretty good secret,” Hohensee laughed knowingly, “but with informative programs like these, we hope to change that.”

President of West Calcasieu Port Board, Dick Kennison (left) is pictured with Lynn E. Hohensee, owner and operator of LEH Communications, LLC. Hohensee has served as West Calcasieu Port director since June 2006. Hohensee spoke at the Jan. 23 meeting of the Sulphur Rotary Club.

Southwest Daily News – Sulphur, LAWest Calcasieu Port Director Lynn Hohensee recently updated the Rotary Club of Sulphur on what’s happening at the port these days.

President of West Calcasieu Port Board, Rotarian Dick Kennison, introduced Hohensee, owner and operator of LEH Communications, LLC. He has served as West Calcasieu Port director since June 2006. Hohensee gave Rotarians an informative talk about the port. First he asked,”Does anyone here know about the West Cal Port and what we do? Has anyone been out there?” There were not many hands up.

“We’re a pretty good secret,” Hohensee laughed knowingly, “but with informative programs like these, we hope to change that.”

First of all, the West Cal Port is not a deep water port; it’s not a cargo port; it’s a shallow water port and the focus is on being a service port to the maritime community.

“Our mission is dedicated to growing the business community for public energy. Our success is how well our tenants succeed and how well we can attract new tenants. The more the port grows the better the economic community benefits from jobs, tax base, real estate and more.”

Secondly, where is the port located exactly?

“It is strategically located halfway between New Orleans and Houston on the intercostal waterway. I say strategically because truly that is a location that keeps us between two incredibly large, very productive ports along the Gulf Coast,” Hohensee said.

Driving directions to the port are: travel south from Sulphur on Hwy 27; right before Ellender Bridge, turn right and drive through a residential area to arrive at the entrance to the port.

West Cal Port is funded in several ways, but it really costs the tax payer nothing. No tax millage is levied for the support of the port. All income comes from tenants, grants and individual donations. Because West Cal Port has no full time employees and no office, costs can be cut.

Present tenants are DeVall Enterprises, an established company towing since 1970s, F. Miller Construction and River Barge Works.

The port has received six grants. Four mentioned were two from the Department of Transportation and Development to expand the port, one from the City of Sulphur and one from the Calcasieu Parish Police Jury. No individual donations were noted. The port was described as a public/private Cooperative Service

Hohensee emphasized that wetlands were protected during the port’s recent expansion. He was pleased to say that negotiations were made with the Department of Natural Resources and the Corps of Engineers to offset the cost of mitigation of wetlands needed for expansion plan. Twelve new acres of marshland were created in the expansion work which actually tripled the size of marshland in that area.

West Cal Port is an economic advantage to our area.

“A lot of growth that does come in a growing area like ours, and a lot of needs. One of the needs is shallow water barge transportation support. That comes right down our ally. We are really a parking lot for barges.

“We’re going to grow this thing. We have the only loading ramp where one can load a truck onto a barge. Now we’re in process of adding a second ramp with a new road. River Barge Works cleans open and closed dry barges and this needed service is necessary for the port to grow and is a recent addition. Last year, we started wet barge cleaning as well. 2012 was the best year we’ve ever enjoyed at our port,” Hohensee concluded.

Hohensee ended his program with a short commercial noting the benefits of all southwest Louisiana ports and proposed that 2013 would be another great year.

Editor’s Note: There are six ports in the Southwest Louisiana Port Network: Port of Lake Charles (11th largest port in the nation), Port of Vinton, West Cameron Port, East Cameron Port, and Port of Mementau.

West Calcasieu Port Director Lynn Hohensee recently updated the Rotary Club of Sulphur on what’s happing at the port these days.

President of West Calcasieu Port Board, Rotarian Dick Kennison, introduced Hohensee, owner and operator of LEH Communications, LLC. He has served as West Calcasieu Port director since June 2006. Hohensee gave Rotarians an informative talk about the port. First he asked,”Does anyone here know about the West Cal Port and what we do? Has anyone been out there?” There were not many hands up.

Hohensee ended his program with a short commercial noting the benefits of all southwest Louisiana ports and proposed that 2013 would be another great year.

Editor’s Note: There are six ports in the Southwest Louisiana Port Network: Port of Lake Charles (11th largest port in the nation), Port of Vinton, West Cameron Port, East Cameron Port, and Port of Mementau.