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Port awarded major federal grant for rail expansion
The Port of Palm Beach has been awarded a $13.2 million grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation to expand its intermodal rail freight facility.
“Expanding our rail infrastructure will allow the Port of Palm Beach to reach its full potential as a major economic engine by maximizing cargo efficiencies,” said Port of Palm Beach District Chairman Wayne Richards.
The Port Infrastructure Development Program grant will more than double the Port’s intermodal rail capacity from 44,000 TEUs (twenty-foot equivalent units) per year to 95,000 TEUs per year. It will replace old rail with new, relocate the truck interchange and install new radiation portal monitors for increased security, all of which will allow for operations to flow more efficiently.
“Once this project is complete, we expect to see a significant boost in exports and operational efficiencies. The project will create at least 105 direct jobs. Furthermore, expanding our rail infrastructure gives us the opportunity to be better environmental stewards by eliminating 29,000 truck trips per year off I-95. It will in turn, lessen congestion for motorists,” said Manuel Almira, Port Executive Director.
Read the full news release
Watch video |
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Port officials discuss rail project with Congressman Brian MastPort of Palm Beach officials thanked Congressman Brian Mast for his role in helping the Port secure a major federal grant. On Monday, October 19, Congressman Mast stopped by the Port of Palm Beach to discuss the Port's plan to expand its rail facility. The Congressman's visit came just one week after the Port was awarded a $13.2 million grant. The Congressman was greeted by Board of Commissioners Chairman Wayne Richards, Port Executive Director Manuel Almira, Port staff and representatives with Tropical Shipping. Director of Planning and Development Carl Baker provided the Congressman and his staff with an overview of the rail project and explained how it will benefit the future growth of the Port. The Port presented the Congressman with a customized gift made out of old rail that was in service when boxcars were loaded onto ships and exported to Cuba in the early 1900's.
Watch video
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 Port Executive Director Manuel Almira, Congressman Brian Mast and Board Chairman Wayne Richards photographed during Oct. 19 event in cruise terminal.
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Port of Palm Beach receives award for rail safety
The American Short Line and Regional Railroad Association awarded the Port of Palm Beach with a Jake Award of Distinction for achieving a perfect safety record with no reportable injuries in 2019.
Since its inception in 1995, the Jake Award program has evolved into the premier safety award in the short line community. The Jake Award is a testament to the dedication and professionalism of the Port's employees and management team.
We want to thank Al Fawcett and his team for their unwavering commitment to rail safety. For more information on the American Short Line and Regional Railroad Association, visit www.aslrra.org.
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Board of Commissioners approve
Port tariffs This month the Board of Commissioners unanimously approved Tariff No. 23 and Rail Tariff 8016. There are minor revisions and additions to the Port tariffs. There is now an item related to pandemics and other health-related matters. Port staff also added an item related to Rum Tank storage and a switching rate increase to the Freight Tariff. |
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 Board Chairman Wayne Richards, Vice Chairman Joseph Anderson, Secretary/ Treasurer Blair Ciklin, Commissioner Dr. Jean Enright and Commissioner Katherine Waldron.
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Procurement Opportunity
We are requesting qualifications from professional engineering firms that specialize in underwater inspection and evaluation of the Port's assets.
Read and view RFP documents |
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Dredge Project Update The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers expects equipment to be mobilized between Sunday, October 25th and Monday, October 26th.
The Corps awarded the channel dredging to Cashman Dredging and Marine Contracting LLC. From Quincy MA. Cashman owns the dredge Atchafalaya, which is the expected plant to accomplish the work.
The dredging depth is set for 39 feet plus two allowable over dredge for outer channel and 37 feet plus two allowable over dredge for inner channel. The volume of sand to be removed is approximately 100,000 cubic yards. The sand will be released in a near shore disposal area southeast of the entrance channel. Mariners are urged to transit at their slowest safe speed to minimize wake and proceed with caution when navigating through the inlet. All support vessels will monitor VHF channels 16 using 13 as the working channel.
The project duration is estimated to take up to three weeks. This will be the first time in years, the settling basin is cleared.
The project will ensure the inlet remains accessible to Port tenants who are moving all types of cargo including sugar, molasses, asphalt, diesel fuel and essential goods bound for the Caribbean islands.
Port of Palm Beach operations support $304 million in local and state business revenue while providing about 2,800 direct jobs.
Dredging of the channel was last completed in November 2019. The dredge removed 60,000 cubic yards of sand that was used to replenish the northside of
Questions???
Email Port Engineer Ron Coddignton
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New Port Fact Sheets in
English and Spanish We recently published our fact sheet, which highlights figures from Fiscal Year 2019.
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Port Security Guard celebrates 15 years at the Port Congratulations to Port Security Guard Kuumba Payne for another successful year of service. October 15th, marked 15 years since she began her career at the Port. We appreciate all of Kuumba's hard work and dedication.
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 Port Security Guard Kuumba Payne posing outside Gate 5 during her shift.
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World War II crash rescue boat makes appearance A small piece of history arrived at the Port in early October. Port tenant, Port Contractors, facilitated the transportation of a decommissioned US Army Air Force crash rescue boat that served during World War II. The 85 ft military boat that was constructed entirely of wood, was safely offloaded. The P-520 is now on her way to the Louisville Naval Museum in Kentucky. |
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Port tenant reaches social media milestone Congratulations to Southeast Hay Distributors for reaching 1,000 likes on Facebook. The company leases an office in the Southgate facility and they store hay in warehouse 4 . To celebrate the company's milestone, Southeast Hay Distributors President, Alexander Christensen, did a giveaway. The lucky winner won a gift basket with horse owner essentials and Southeast Hay gear. Watch video |
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Drive-thru food distributions continueFood distributions held at the Port of Palm Beach continue every Saturday from 3 PM to 5:30 PM. The weekly events are possible thanks to Hospitality Helping Hands and its partners.
The no-contact food distribution events provide families with nutritional groceries, baby products and pet food. Drivers are asked to enter the Port on 301 Broadway Avenue. |
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 Forum Club of the Palm Beaches President Harvey Oyer
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Port of Palm Beach hosts Forum Club of the Palm Beaches virtual lunch
This month’s Forum Club of the Palm Beaches virtual lunch was held at the Port of Palm Beach. Staff facilitated the pre-recording of the program’s introduction that took place on Peanut Island in JFK’s secret bunker. Our facilities team did a great job cleaning the bunker prior to filming. On the day of the event, Friday October 9th, the Port provided the Forum Club with office space and tech support to conduct their live Q&A with former CIA Director John Brennan. During the program, the Forum Club President thanked the Port for supporting the event.
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FTZ member expands site
Just this week, Rybovich Marina received approval to expand its subzone. The company added a new site. Its subzone is now comprised of its marinas located on 4200 North Flager Drive in West Palm Beach and 2010 Avenue B in Riviera Beach.
View details of FTZ #135 |
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Monthly financials and cargo tonnage reports
We've published the monthly financials and cargo tonnage reports for the month of August.
Read reports
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COVID-19 Update
You can stay-up to date on how the Port is handling the COVID-19 pandemic, by visiting our COVID-19 alert page on our website.
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Upcoming Commission MeetingsNovember's Regular Board Meeting has been changed to Monday, November 16. - November 16
- December 17
- January 21
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.
View agendas and minutes
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Check out our new videos on YouTube
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