Port implements new safety and security system

The Port of Palm Beach is now using a real-time comprehensive situational awareness platform from STRAX Intelligence Group.

Board Chairman Wayne M. Richards

“As the 18th busiest container Port in the country, my fellow Port Commisisoners and I understand the importance of investing in security upgrades. We want everyone working or visiting the Port to feel safe when they are here,” said Port of Palm Beach District Chairman Wayne M. Richards.

The STRAX platform provides numerous features and benefits to the Port, its tenants, stakeholders and the public.

Senior Director of Seaport Operations and Security Ken Hern speaking with WPBF about the security upgrades.

“This system enhances the Port’s ability to effectively prevent, detect, respond and recover from acts of aggression, terror and/or weather-related events,” said Kenneth Hern, Senior Director of Port Operations and Security.

The platform allows Port security staff members to access, in real-time Port camera feeds, vessel traffic movements, ShotSpotter, emergency response plans for vessels and facilities, weather alerts, aviation radar, Port hurricane plan, text alerts and panic alarms.

The Port of Palm Beach is the first seaport in the U.S. to implement the STRAX system.

“The intent is to give our law enforcement partners access to the system so they can see what’s happening in real-time at the local, state and federal level, in case of an emergency. This in turn will lead to faster response times and increase safety to the community,” Hern said.

Upon full implementation, the Port will share access to the system with United States Coast Guard Sector Miami, United States Customs and Border Protection, Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office and the City of Riviera Beach. The agencies will also be able to receive text emergency alerts and emails through STRAX Platform.

President and CEO of Southeast Hay Distributors Alexander Christensen being interviewed.

President and CEO of Southeast Hay Distributors Alexander Christensen tells WPBF he's thankful for the extra layer of security.

Scott Adams, CEO and Co-Founder of STRAX Intelligence Group says, “We look forward to working with the Port of Palm Beach to deliver solutions that meet their current security requirements while also providing them with a platform that offers advanced technology to adapt and expand to meet their future needs.”

The Port of Palm Beach District Board of Commissioners approved the implementation of STRAX in the October Regular Board meeting. The platform is partially funded by a Florida Department of Transportation Port security grant.

“This state of the art technology is a positive step in making our seaport safer,” said Port Executive Director Manuel Almira.

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Update on Emergency Dredging

The Lake Worth Inlet dredging project is now complete. A total of 190,000 cubic yards of sand was removed from the channel and the settling basin. The sand was released in a near shore disposal area southeast of the entrance channel.

The U.S Army Corps of Engineers conducted soundings following the completion of the project.

According to the Palm Beach Harbor Pilots, the inlet is now operating at Full Project Depth to the Port of Palm Beach. All ships are restricted to 33’ feet at high water slack and 30’ feet at low water slack. Oil products are restricted to 32’ feet high water and 29’ feet low water. All drafts are for saltwater.

Vessels over 600’ ft LOA, 90’ ft beam, or 30’ ft draft are restricted to daylight. One-way traffic is required for all vessels over 300’ feet.

All agents with vessels over 585’ ft LOA, 85’ ft beam, and 25’ ft draft should consult with the Pilots for available current windows and possible daylight restrictions. The above parameters may be reduced during foul weather.

Tropical Shipping vessel navigating the inlet

U.S. Customs and Border Protection
Port Director Retiring

United States Customs and Border Protection Port Director Jennifer Connors

United States Customs and Border Protection Port Director, Jennifer Connors, is retiring after 25 years of federal service. Connors began her tenure at the Port of Palm Beach ten years ago. Prior to that, she served in the Miami area.

Connors' leadership is commendable as her focus has always been both public safety and maintaining the flow of commerce.

During her time at the helm, Connors has lead her team through several significant occasions including the screening of Hurricane Dorian victims who arrived at the Port in September 2019, a seizure of more than $2 million in counterfeit merchandise and numerous arrests of wanted individuals.

The Port of Palm Beach Commisisoners and staff thank Connors for her dedication to the Port and her country. She will be dearly missed and we wish her a happy retirement.

Port Executive Director named one of the top business leaders in Palm Beach County

Congratulations to Port of Palm Beach Executive Director Manuel Almira. Almira was named one of Palm Beach Illustrated' s 2021 Top 100 Most Influential Business Leaders in Palm Beach County. In the business journal, Almira shares his accomplishments, the best advice he's received and his favorite hobby.

To view the publication, click here and flip to page 36.

Significant increase in bulk cargo

It has been a particularly successful fiscal year for liquid and dry bulk cargoes. Florida Sugar and Molasses Exchange handled 77 percent more molasses this year and 43 percent more raw sugar. The rise in shipments of these types of commodities is credited to a successful harvest year.

South Florida Materials also experienced a boost with a 13 percent increase in asphalt shipments. This increase is mainly because of expedited road projects across the state as an unprecedented amount of people worked from home during and after the governor's stay at home order.

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Shipping container homes donated to families in the Bahamas

People in Palm Beach County continue their efforts in rebuilding parts of the Bahamas that were ravaged by Hurricane Dorian in September 2019. This month, Tropical Shipping exported several shipping container homes, two of which were fully furnished. The homes were painted in bright colors and ocean art.

Shipping container home with fish painted on it

Shipping container home with turtle painted on it

Port of Palm Beach Seafarers Center Staff

Port of Palm Beach Seafarer's Office continues holiday tradition

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The Port of Palm Beach Seafarers Center kicked off the holiday season by participating in this year’s 2020 Holiday Boat Parade hosted by the Marine Industries Association of Palm Beach County. Along with collecting for Toys for Tots and Little Smiles, the Port of Palm Beach Seafarers Center conducted a vessel blessing simultaneously as vessels passed the judging stand.

The organization has also been delivering Christmas gifts to seafarers who have docked at the Port during the month of December.

The Seafarers Center staff worked many hours organizing, assigning, wrapping, and preparing the gift boxes for delivery. The gift boxes were filled with woolly hats, toiletries, candy, stationary games, socks, etc. A total of 28 gift boxes were prepared, serving more than 400 mariners.

We are thankful to have this amazing organization present at the Port.

Seafarers Center Executive Director Aaron Hoffman delivering Christmas gifts.

Seafarers Center staff preparing gifts for delivery.

Transport Provider Robert Davis handing over gifts to crew member from Tropic Opal.

Transport provider Robert Davis handing over gifts to Tropic Opal crew member.

Successful Toy Drive

Thank you to all who donated to the Northend Rise and Little Smiles toy drive. This year we collected more than 100 new toys. The tenant who donated the most toys was Stonerock Shipping. The company donated $300 worth of toys. There were also several other tenants who stepped up this year and gave local kids a merry Christmas.

Toys collected for Northmore Elementary School students.

CBP Port Director Jennifer Connors and Chief of Staff Deirdre Leigh donating toys.

Port Executive Director Manuel Almira delivering holiday toys to Northend Rise.

On December 15, Vice Chairman Joseph Anderson, Public Information Officer Yaremi Farinas and Executive Director Manuel Almira delivered six bags filled with toys to an organization called Northend Rise. The Executive Director Craig Glover said the toys collected at the Port helped them surpass their goal of 300 toys. The toys will benefit children attending Northmore Elementary School.

Holiday closures

Port of Palm Beach Administrative Offices will be closed Friday, December 25th in observance of the Christmas holiday. Our offices will also be closed January 1 for New Year's Day. For immediate assistance, call the Main Security Gate at 561-383-4144.

Tropical Shipping will not be sailing from the Port of Palm Beach on December 24, 25 and January 1. For further information on the company's operation changes for the holidays, click here.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection cargo clearance and document processing will be closed December 24,25 and January 1.

The Global Entry Enrollment Center will be closed December 25 and January 1. Global Entry walk-ins remain suspended.

Heavy Lift Services and Gulf Stream Line will be closed December 24, 25, 31 and January 1.

Merchants Export Inc. will be close at noon on Christmas Eve and will close on December 25 and New Year's Day. The company will close at 5:00 PM on New Year's Eve.

Southeast Hay Distributors will be closed December 24, 25, 26, 31 and New Year's Day.

Monarch Shipping will be closed December 25 and 26. The company will be open December 31 from 8 AM to 12 PM and close on January 1 and 2.

South Florida Materials terminal will be closed December 25 and January 1.

The United States Department of Agriculture office will be closed December 24, 25 and January 1.

Happy Holidays from the Port of Palm Beach

Port tenant launches new website

Congratulations to Heavy Lift Services and Gulfstream Line for recently launching their new website. The website gives potential customers an inside look at the services the companies offer. Video displayed on the website shows the unique work provided by their stevedores.

Together we can Recycle Right

Please make sure you are recycling correctly.

Drive-thru food

distributions continue

Food 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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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.

Upcoming Commission Meetings

January 21
February 18
March 18

You're invited to attend our Board of Commissioners meetings, held at 4:00 pm in the Cruise Terminal, on the 2nd 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