Executive Director Manuel Almira elected Chairman of the Florida Ports Council
The Florida Ports Council announced Manuel Almira, the Executive Director of the Port of Palm Beach, will be the council’s new chairman starting October 1st. Almira replaces Port Miami CEO Juan Kuryla, who completed his two-year term.
The Florida Ports Council is the professional association of Florida’s 14 public seaports, providing advocacy, leadership and research on seaport-related issues at the state and federal level.
“We know his leadership will strengthen the Florida Ports Council so we can ensure Florida’s ports are the global leaders of tomorrow,” said Doug Wheeler, President an CEO of the Florida Ports Council.
Almira has more than 35 years of experience in the maritime industry, with expertise in international imports and exports.
“Florida’s seaports serve as the gateway to the rest of the world and are one of the largest economic drivers in the state, supporting nearly 900,000 Florida jobs and providing critical access to commerce for all of our residents and businesses,” Almira said. “I am excited to help lead our ports forward, especially given the current challenging economic environment and the opportunities we have to diversify, grow, and provide world-class service all around the globe.”
Read Florida Ports Council's news release
Read congratulatory emails sent to Almira
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Smooth sailing for foreign trade Port of Palm Beach Foreign Trade Zone #135 was created to help international commerce flow smoothly. The companies involved in the trade zone, which includes Palm Beach and Martin counties and part of St. Lucie County, save both time and money.
These savings can arise from different sources, protection from inverted tariffs, cash flow control, damaged items can be destroyed with no duty or imported at a lower value. Additionally, there is no duty on value added and re-exports. Other positive benefits are better inventory control, exemption from quotas, possible lower insurance premiums due to the fact a zone requires a high degree of security.
“FTZ#135 provides us with the ability to source from global entities and redistribute these products through the foreign-trade zone without being subject to import tariffs and ad valorem taxes. This has been a valuable tool that has allowed our business to grow and be competitive in the global economy,” said Craig Knowles, General Manager of Merchants Export.
One Port tenant that has benefited from the foreign trade zone is Merchants Market Group, the parent company of Merchants Export. The company has been an FTZ member since 1997. The company is a broadline food distributor that services the entire Caribbean. The company has the ability to service both the retail and wholesale market segments with their product portfolio of over 10,000 items. These products range from fresh produce and dairy, frozen proteins, seafood, frozen goods, disposables and cleaning supplies.
Read full FTZ article.
For more information on Merchants Export visit the company’s website at www.merchantsmarket.com
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 General Manager of Merchants Export, Craig Knowles pictured in the Merchants Export office located on Port property.
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Longtime Port tenants complete 32 relief voyages to the Bahamas
This month marked one year since Hurricane Dorian devastated parts of the Bahamas, including the Abaco Islands. During the past 12 months, Gulf Stream Line and Heavy Lift Services have completed 32 relief voyages to the affected islands.
They shipped everything from decommissioned fire trucks to building materials. More than 5700 tons of cargo was exported with the assistance of Heavy Lift and Gulf Stream Line.
For some time, employees worked seven days a week in order to keep up with the influx of cargo that was time sensitive.
"There were people who needed these supplies and we were dedicated in our efforts to get everything we could to them. Our employees worked tirelessly during this time and as employers were extremely proud," said Glen Dias, President of Heavy Lift Services and Gulfstream Line.
The companies worked with several organizations and companies including
Green Turtle Foundation, Scotland Cay Residents, National Association of the Remodeling Industry, Cherokee Aviation, Pathfinders and Sandy Cay Marine. In addition, the MV Duke of Topsail has a weekly run that has moved countless tons of cargo into their homeport of Marsh Harbour since the storm passed.
"The response from the United States and Florida specifically, was overwhelming. Knowing that our Bahamian friends were devastated and in need, people did not disappoint. Donations appeared almost immediately. It was heartbreaking knowing what our neighbors were going through and heartwarming to see the amount of people that were generous and steadfast in their efforts to help. The worst certainly brought out the best," said Tina Dias, Gulf Steam and Heavy Lift Services Office Manager.
You can contact Heavy Lift and Gulf Stream Line at 561-848-2576. |
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 Donated goods arriving at Heavy Lift Services' warehouse before being loaded onto ship and exported to Green Turtle Cay.
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Request for proposals for diving services
Diving contractors now have the opportunity to do business with the Port of Palm Beach. The intent of the RFP is to solicit sealed proposals for diving services for the performance of underwater inspection services and evaluation of conditions of structures and facilities that are subject of the inspection. Sealed proposals will be accepted until 3:00 pm October 6th.
Read and view RFP documents.
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Port of Palm Beach receives four national communication awards The Port of Palm Beach was awarded four national communication awards from the American Association of Port Authorities. We were recognized for our monthly newsletter, our efforts in educating the community about our tenants through our "Tenant Spotlight" and two video projects. One video focused on the role Port tenants played in providing relief to the Bahamas and the other video showcased how the Port keeps commerce moving during the pandemic. Thank you to all our tenants who participated in the stories. We couldn’t have done it without you.
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 Public Information Officer Yaremi Farinas, Executive Director Manuel Almira and Director of Planning and Development Carl Baker posing with awards in front of the Jonathan sugar barge.
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Port of Palm Beach Commissioners approve Unit Price Paving ContractDuring the September board meeting, Port of Palm Beach Board of Commissioners unanimously approved to award a Unit Price Paving Contract to M & M Asphalt Maintenance Inc., DBA All County Paving. Out of all nine companies that provided bids, All County Paving had the lowest bid in the amount of $296,920. All County Paving will be responsible for minor and medium sized projects of new paving, paving repair and pothole repair.
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Dredge Project Update The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Jacksonville District, has announced the award of the channel dredging to Cashman Dredging and Marine Contracting LLC. From Quincy MA.
The contract with options, was awarded in the amount of $2,479,300.00. The dredging is expected to commence in approximately 30 days, with a maximum 70-day time window, including mobilization. Actual dredge time on site should be much shorter, unless interrupted by weather. Cashman owns the dredge Atchafalaya, that is the expected plant to accomplish the work. This contract calls for the removal of more than 100,000 cubic yards of sand.
For the first time in more than six years, this dredge project will empty a quantity of sand from the settling basin, which is designed to capture sand prior to shoaling of the channel.
These changes and future work are part of a multi-year effort, designed with the goal to eliminate the need for emergency dredging and work toward a plan to get channel dredging on a two-year cycle without impact of channel draft restrictions. |
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Tenant Spotlight
Our next Tenant Spotlight will feature Heavy Lift Services and Gulf Stream Line. The family-owned businesses are longtime tenants of the Port. So far, we have conducted interviews with Glen, Tina and Joey Dias. We have also interviewed one of their customers. We hope to share the video with you next month.
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 Glen, Tina and Joey Dias
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Port Executive Director recognized by local business organizationIn honor of National Hispanic Heritage Month, the Business Development Board of Palm Beach County Distribution/Logistics Industry Task Force recognized Port Executive Director Manuel Almira for his achievements as a leader in the maritime and logistics industry. Almira shared with the group how being bilingual helped him excel in his career. He was born in Banes, Oriente, Cuba and moved to New York when he was just 10 years old. He earned a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from the University of New York. Almira then began his career as a sales representative at a shipping company called U.S. Lines. At 33 years old, he embarked on a new journey in South Florida. He knew he could advance his career because of the large Hispanic presence in the area. Almira has spent the last 12 years leading our Port and today we thank him for his service.
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Successful clothing drive
Thank you to everyone who donated to our clothing drive back in March. Due to COVID-19 restrictions, it took months for us to drop-off the donations. This month, we delivered more than 30 bags of gently used clothes to St. George's Center in Riviera Beach.
We will try and set up another clothing drive next year.
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We are hiring!The Port of Palm Beach District is seeking an IT Systems Administrator.
The IT Systems Administrator will work with the IT Director to support the management, maintenance, diagnostics, service, and repair of all of the Ports information system infrastructure and to support, inform, and mentor the end users of that system as needed.
Click here to apply.
We are also looking for a qualified Assistant Controller, who will be responsible for cash management, fixed asset management, and Payroll. General accounting duties may occasionally assigned. Work is performed under the general supervision of the Controller.
Click here to apply.
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Drive-thru food distributions continue
Food distributions held at the Port of Palm Beach continue as the demand for food assistance climbs. The weekly events are possible thanks to all the organizations and entities that work together to donate and volunteer. The no-contact food distribution events provide families with nutritional groceries, baby products and pet food.
The weekly event is held every Saturday from 3PM to 6 PM. Drivers are asked to enter the Port on Broadway Ave just south of the Sky Pass Bridge.
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Florida Ports Council shares Seaport Mission Plan In early September, the Florida Ports Council released its 2020-2024 Five-Year Seaport Mission Plan. The report, completed annually as part of the Florida Seaport Transportation and Economic Development Council's (FSTED) mission, provides a snap shot of port's economic impact along with goals for the next five years.
The Port of Palm Beach is featured in the report for our incredible water quality, our efforts in protecting ocean health and our improvements to our mega-yacht berth. Read Florida's Ports Council news release
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COVID-19 Update
You can stay-up on how the Port is handling the COVID-19 pandemic, by visiting our COVID-19 alert page on our website.
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Monthly financials and cargo tonnage reports
We've published the monthly financials and cargo tonnage reports for the month of July.
Read reports..
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Upcoming Commission Meetings- October 15
- November 19
- December 17
You're invited to attend our Board of Commissioners meetings, held at 4:00 pm in the Board Room, on the 6th Floor at the Port's Maritime Office Complex (MOC). The MOC is located at 1 East 11th Street in the City of Riviera Beach. Agendas and Minutes are posted on our website: bit.ly/2nBZbh6.
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Connect with us on Social MediaWant to stay connected with the Port? Follow us on these social networks: - Facebook: @PortofPalmBeachDistrict
- Twitter: @PortofPalmBeach & @ManuelAlmiraPPM
- Instagram: portofpalmbeach
- LinkedIn: Port of Palm Beach
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