Vol. 6, No. 3, August 2021 |
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The Port of Brownsville proved resilient in 2020, moving a record-setting 11.6 million short tons of diverse cargo with operating revenues of $37 million. |
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Economic Resilience, Bright Outlook |
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Editor's Note: This article is featured in the latest edition of the Port of Brownsville Directory |
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The Port of Brownsville has come a long way in its 85-year history, finding ways to overcome challenges and ever-changing global markets. The port proved resilient throughout 2020 in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic and its related economic challenges, moving a record-setting 11.6 million short tons of diverse cargo with operating revenues of $37 million, far above 2019’s high watermark of $24.6 million, providing the foundation for continued investment in economic growth, job creation and environmental stewardship for today and future generations.
Over the past several years, the port has continued to strengthen its financial position, increasing cash reserves while investing in key infrastructure improvements. The Port of Brownsville ranks third among U.S. ports for "strong financial resilience" surveyed in a 2020 report issued by Moody’s Investor Services, underscoring the ongoing value of the port’s prudent financial stewardship in light of economic impacts from the worldwide pandemic. Moody’s analysis evaluated American ports on a range of key factors surrounding financial responsibility like the ability to handle the impact of a significant decline in cargo volume, financial liquidity and debt service coverage ratio. Weighing these important factors, the analysis ranks the Port of Brownsville among the most stable in the nation and better able to weather today’s unique economic challenges.
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New Port Directory Now Available
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The newest edition of the Port of Brownsville's award winning directory is available now!
You can read the full digital version on our website, or follow the link to request a free mail-in copy.
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Photo Courtesy U.S. Coast Guard |
Capt. Edward Gaynor, right, transfers command of Sector/Air Station Corpus Christi to Capt. Hans Govertsen, left, June 18, 2021, in Corpus Christi, Texas, as Rear Adm. John P. Nadeau, middle, commander of the Eighth Coast Guard District, presides over a change-of-command ceremony.
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New Captain of the Port for USCG Regional Sector |
The U.S. Coast Guard Sector/Air Station Corpus Christi held a change-of-command ceremony June 18, where Capt. Hans Govertsen relieved Capt. Edward Gaynor as commander of the sector.
Capt. Govertsen will now oversee South Texas waterways from the Port of Brownsville to Port Lavaca. Govertsen transferred to Sector/Air Station Corpus Christi from the Eighth Coast Guard District in New Orleans, where he held the position of resource division chief.
The change-of-command ceremony marks a transfer of total responsibility and authority from one individual to another. It is a time-honored tradition, conducted before the assembled crew, honored guests and dignitaries, to formally demonstrate the continuity of the authority within a command.
Gaynor served as the commanding officer of Sector/Air Station Corpus Christi since May 2018 and oversaw the protection of the maritime transportation system during a growth period that included the opening of a liquefied gas export terminal, major channel deepening projects and the revival of the nation’s crude oil exporting capability. He oversaw 3,500 foreign vessel exams, 349 facility inspections and 208 offshore security boardings. In search and rescue, he managed 674 cases, saving 338 lives and $12.5 million in property.
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SteelCoast plans to spend 12 months remediating and processing the USS Nassau at the Port of Brownsville.
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Green recycling sustainability sees SteelCoast Soar |
Editor's Note: This article is featured at www.demolitionandrecycling.media. |
SteelCoast, a demolition and recycling specialist at the Port of Brownsville is set to more than treble its workforce this year to nearly 250 people as demand from ship owners increases for green recycling of their vessels.
SteelCoast plans to spend 12 months remediating and processing the USS Nassau at the Port of Brownsville.
It started a contract in April 2021 from the U.S. Maritime Administration to recycle the USS Nassau, a remediation and processing project expected to take 12 months.
SteelCoast president Mark Hodgson views 2020 as a mixed year of positives and negatives despite this recent growth. The company received an Excellence in Safety Award from the American Equity Underwriters, but had to deal with the impact from the Covid-19 pandemic.
Hodgson explained, "The SteelCoast team recognized that 2020 was going to provide challenges in every aspect of our industry. The decision was immediately made to turn adversity into opportunity, to focus on the details of the business and the employees that support it."
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Port Hosts Inaugural Propeller Club Meeting |
Under new charter, the Propeller Club of the United States, Port Port of Brownsville-Port Isabel, Texas chapter, held its inaugural meeting July 8, with the intention to increase its membership.
The meeting also served to introduce the chapter’s new board members: Robert Berry, president; Cesar Ramirez, vice president; Tony Rodriguez, treasurer; Frank Perez, secretary; Ankjaer Jensen, board member; Melinda Rodriguez, board member; Norma Torres, board member.
The propeller club is dedicated to the promotion of maritime business, commerce and global trade while providing networking opportunities to professionals in the maritime industry.
“Almost every business in the area and all of Texas is tied to our ports and maritime industry in one manner or another. Our purpose is to let people know who we are and what the port (of Brownsville) is doing for us.” said Berry
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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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August 4-6
August 4
BND Board Meeting/
Coast Guard Day
August 18
BND Board Meeting
September 7-8
September 8
BND Board Meeting
September 6
Labor Day - Port offices closed
September 11
Patriot Day
September 11
Propeller Club Meeting
September 12 -18
National Truck Driver Appreciation Week
September 14-16
September 22
BND Board Meeting
September 16
Mexican Independence Day
September 22
Fall Season Begins
September 28-30
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Increased activity in metal recycling and shipbuilding at the Port of Brownsville show demand for technically skilled workers. |
TSTC Welding Technology Ready to Meet RGV Needs |
Editor's Note: This article is featured at www.tstc.edu. |
The most recent expansion project in Texas State Technical College’s Welding Technology program involved adding 40 new welding stations and a new metal building for advanced fabrication.
The growth was needed to accommodate students in a field that is booming in the Rio Grande Valley as companies expand and other companies relocate to the region.
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The fishing harbor at the port is home base to approximately 180 shrimp boats, which is more than 30 percent of the entire Texas shrimping fleet of 550. |
Commercial Shrimp Season Now Open |
The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department announced the opening of the Gulf of Mexico commercial shrimp season for both state and federal waters set on July 15.
Biologists evaluate the biological, social and economic impact when deciding the opening date to maximize the benefits to the industry and the public.
"The annual mid-May closure protects brown shrimp until they can reach larger, more valuable sizes during their major period of emigration from the bays to the Gulf of Mexico. The closure also helped to prevent the waste caused by the discarding of smaller individual shrimp," said TPWD’s Coastal Fisheries Division Director Robin Riechers.
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