The Port of Houston Authority hosted a full house during the AAPA Port Property and Terminal Lease Workshop at the Executive Office Building September 21. The event was developed to provide a platform for port, terminal and industry representatives to discuss some of the complex processes of real estate planning, leasing and development. Ports from throughout the country attended.

PHA Senior Director of Real Estate RD Tanner provided an overview of trends, use of leases and tariffs and policies with Kathryn McDermott of Maritime Real Estate and Business Development and Steve Bass, assistant county attorney for PortMiami. Other discussions during the day included the nature and structure of marine terminal leases, provisions and enforcement and tenant maintenance and repair issues.

“Every port and terminal lease is unique,” Tanner said. “There are a number of legal and contract hurdles to overcome depending on the property. The Port Authority wants to help educate our partners and stakeholders, and this was a good opportunity to do that. Each port community faces their own challenges.”

This AAPA event follows the organization’s successful Freight Logistics Roundtable held at the Port Authority in August. AAPA represents public seaports and agencies throughout the Western Hemisphere.

The real estate event was planned and organized by AAPA Vice-President and General Counsel Jean Godwin and Port Authority Associate General Counsel Tom Schroeter, Chairman of the AAPA Law Review Committee.