Vol. 5, No. 7, December 2020 |
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Mohd Sahlan Bin Salleh, left, president and CEO of Keppel AmFELS accepts the 2020 Chairman’s Award from Brownsville Navigation District Chairman Sergio Tito Lopez, during a special event held Dec. 3, 2020 at the Port of Brownsville. |
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Keppel AmFELS Earns
2020 Chairman's Award
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The M/V George III vessel is pictured at Keppel AmFELS shipyard at the Port of Brownsville. The ‘Ohana Class vessel will join the Pasha Hawaii fleet, which provides service to the Hawaii/Mainland trade lane.
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The Port of Brownsville presented Keppel AmFELS with its 2020 Chairman’s Award in recognition of the company’s important work reintroducing shipbuilding to both the state of Texas and Brownsville.
Brownsville Navigation District Chairman Sergio Tito Lopez presented the award to Mohd Sahlan Bin Salleh, president and CEO of Keppel AmFELS, on Dec. 3 during a special presentation at the Port of Brownsville. Keppel’s important work has helped build the ship building industry locally, bringing approximately 1,400 full-time jobs to the Rio Grande Valley community.
"For decades, Keppel AmFELS has not only brought new jobs and opportunities, but their skill and expertise has attracted new contracts and opportunities to residents of the Rio Grande Valley," said Chairman Lopez. "For example, they are nearing completion of two 774-foot-long containerships that will soon join the U.S. merchant fleet, bolstering domestic trade while serving American interests and moving American-made goods. I am privileged to recognize the outstanding work they have and will continue to do for everyone who relies on the Port of Brownsville."
Keppel AmFELS, part of Singapore-based Keppel Offshore & Marine, has been part of Brownsville since 1990 and diversified into shipbuilding as a natural outgrowth of its decades of experience in offshore oil rig fabrication, maintenance and repair.
The Chairman’s Award is an annual award highlighting the achievements of port tenants in the areas of business growth, leadership, job creation, customer service, innovation, safety, and community involvement. The recipient of the award is traditionally announced during the port’s annual Customer Appreciation Luncheon, cancelled this year due to COVID-19.
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Brownsville Navigation District Chairman Sergio Tito Lopez, fifth from left, recognized Keppel AmFELS' team during a special event held Dec. 3, 2020 at the Port of Brownsville. |
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Sergio Tito Lopez, BND Chairman |
This Year, ‘Thank You’
Means More
By Sergio Tito Lopez,
BND Chairman
Saying "thank you" is an often-underrated privilege, but 2020 requires an extra note of appreciation to those who continue to drive remarkable success at the Port of Brownsville for everyone’s benefit.
The port historically invites its customers and supporters to gather each December for the annual Customer Appreciation Luncheon, where "thank you" is the central theme. COVID-19 clearly altered our plans for an in-person event this year, but the pandemic has not dampened our enthusiasm for saying thanks. Our community continues to grapple with the pandemic’s effects upon our daily lives and wellbeing, but our shared experience has made us closer in many ways – even while being apart.
As the new Chairman of the Brownsville Navigation District, it is my privilege to offer thanks to those who are working hard to succeed in an extraordinarily challenging year – and their results are noteworthy. With one month to go in 2020, it is certain that the Port of Brownsville will set all-time records for total operating revenues, tonnage and loaded railcar movements, laying the foundation for a very optimistic 2021.
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FTZ No.62 is a major exporter of aluminum, steel, and wind energy products. |
FTZ No. 62 Celebrates 40th Anniversary |
For the eighth year in a row, Foreign Trade Zone No. 62 (FTZ) at the Port of Brownsville remains near the top in the nation for the value of exports, according to the U.S. Foreign-Trade Zones (FTZ) Board’s annual report to Congress released on Nov. 13, 2020.
FTZ No. 62 ranks second in the country with more than $4.3 billion in exported goods in 2019, an increase from the $3.8 billion reported in 2018. Celebrating its 40th anniversary this year, the port’s FTZ has consistently ranked in the top three for exports out of 193 FTZs nationwide since 2012. Additionally, FTZ No. 62 ranks number 18 in the nation for the value of imports totaling $4.6 billion, up from $3.69 billion in goods reported in 2018.
"These are the highest numbers we’ve seen in the zone’s history, which highlight the importance of the Port of Brownsville as a statewide and regional economic driver," said Eduardo A. Campirano, Port Director and CEO. "This year, we’ve made significant investments in infrastructure and FTZ 62’s continuous high ranking only further validates our efforts to increase the port’s role in the global marketplace."
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From left to right: John Reed, BND Commissioner; Esteban Guerra, BND Secretary; Sergio Tito Lopez, BND Chairman; Ralph Cowen, BND Vice Chairman; John Wood, BND Commissioner. |
Lopez Elected BND Commission Chair |
Sergio Tito Lopez was unanimously elected to serve as chairman of the Brownsville Navigation District (BND) during the commission's regular meeting Tuesday, Nov. 17, 2020.
Lopez also was sworn in as a commissioner, along with Ralph Cowen and John Reed, all reelected to the commission Nov. 3. Lopez serves as chairman alongside BND Vice Chairman Cowen and Secretary Esteban Guerra, who were also unanimously elected to serve as part of the executive board. Commissioners John Wood and Reed round out the commission as assistant secretaries.
Lopez previously served as chairman from 2012-2014. The BND is the elected authority for the Port of Brownsville in Brownsville, Texas, setting policy and fiscal decisions for the port.
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NextDecade Awards Ship Channel
Improvements Contract
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NextDecade Corporation announced that it has completed a competitive bid and contracting process and has selected Great Lakes Dredge & Dock Corporation to perform essential improvements to the Brownsville Ship Channel.
These improvements, which include deepening the channel, will enhance commercial navigation into and out of the Port of Brownsville, ensuring the safe and reliable access of LNG carriers to NextDecade’s Rio Grande LNG facility and optimizing the ability of shallower draft traffic to pass LNG carriers in either direction in accordance with U.S. Coast Guard guidelines. NextDecade, in coordination with the Port of Brownsville, has completed the permitting process for the project activities within the scope of the Dredge and Disposal Construction Agreement.
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The USS Stephen W. Groves made her final journey to the Port of Brownsville where she arrived Nov. 19.
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Sixth U.S. Navy Ship
to be Recycled by ISL
in 2020 Arrives at Port
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The USS Stephen W. Groves has completed her final journey to International Shipbreaking Ltd.’s facility at the Port of Brownsville where she will be recycled. Her arrival marks the sixth U.S. Navy vessel contract awarded to ISL this year.
"We have a long history of respectfully recycling military vessels. The USS Stephen W. Groves is the sixth U.S. Navy vessel that we have had the joy of welcoming to our Brownsville site this year," said Chris Green, Senior Manager at International Shipbreaking Ltd. "We would like to thank the Port of Brownsville commissioners, administration, Harbormaster and Brazos Santiago Pilots Association for their support in safely completing these ship movements."
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ACCIONA Donates $40K to Los Fresnos CISD |
The developer of three wind energy projects in Cameron County has announced donations to Los Fresnos Consolidated Independent School District to enhance science education at the district’s nine elementary schools.
ACCIONA, owner and operator of San Roman Wind Farm, Palmas Altas Wind Farm, and the soon-to-be-completed La Chalupa Wind Farm, said the donations of more than $40,000 are funded by the operation of the two wind farms through its annual social impact management program.
The wind farms are located within the boundaries of Los Fresnos CISD.
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BROWNSVILLE NAVIGATION DISTRICT COMMISSIONERS
Chairman
Vice Chairman
Secretary
Commissioner
Commissioner
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PORT OF BROWNSVILLE ADMINISTRATION
Port Director & CEO
Contact Us:
Ph: 956.831.4592 / 800.378.5395
Fax: 956.831.5006
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December 7
Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day
December 11
Hanukkah Begins
December 13
U.S. National Guard Anniversary
December 16
BND Board Meeting
December 21
First Day of Winter
December 24
Christmas Eve - Port offices closed
December 25
Christmas Day - Port offices closed
December 26
Kawanzaa Begins
December 31
New Year’s Eve
January 1
New Year’s Day - Port offices closed
January 6
Epiphany Day
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2020 Hurricane Season Ends |
The Port of Brownsville resumed operations under Port Condition 5 set by the U.S. Coast Guard after the 2020 hurricane season ended Nov. 30.
Port Condition 5 goes in effect during what is considered to be the non-hurricane season from December 1 to May 31 each year.
According to NOAA, the 2020 season produced 30 named storms (top winds of 39 mph or greater), of which 13 became hurricanes (top winds of 74 mph or greater), including six major hurricanes (top winds of 111 mph or greater).
This is the most storms on record, surpassing the 28 from 2005, and the second-highest number of hurricanes on record.
The 2021 hurricane season will officially begin on June 1 and NOAA’s Climate Prediction Center will issue its initial seasonal outlook in May.
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Bring Better Broadband to Brownsville |
The Port of Brownsville has joined the City of Brownsville and six other local organizations in a campaign focused on bringing high speed, reliable and affordable broadband access to Brownsville and the surrounding areas.
Residents and businesses in Brownsville, Los Fresnos and Rancho Viejo are encouraged to share experiences, opinions, and needs through an important community survey. Participation in the survey will help determine which areas of the community should be prioritized and which technology and infrastructure investments will make the most sense moving forward.
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