Duke of Top Sail Celebrates Her 50th Birthday 

Cargo Tonnage Report

Highlights for the month of August 2022: 


-Vessel calls increased by 10.7% over the previous year 

-TEUs increased by 6.6% when compared to the same period last year (YTD).

-Total railcars (YTD) have increased by 15.2% from approximately  12,800 to 14,700 (YTD). 

-Cargo tonnage, except raw sugar, increased 10.5% (YTD). 


- Congratulations to Stonerock Shipping, Tropical Shipping, Port Contractors and Host Agency who are all handling more tonnage. 

-Overcoming the effects of COVID-19, Margaritaville at Sea's YTD cruise passengers are up from 13,257 in FY21 to 122,556 in FY22.
 

In-Person Tours 

As part of the Master Plan Community Outreach Plan, the Port of Palm Beach held four in-person tours on October 3 and 4th for citizens interested in learning about the port's operations. Attendees were escorted into the restricted area of the port where they watched Tropical Shipping employees work the container yard, super sacks of cement being unloaded from a cargo vessel and raw sugar being stored in a warehouse. 

Supporting Our Seafarers

Tropical Shipping Continues To Invests In New Equipment 

Tropical Shipping's cargo handling equipment is flexible enough to accommodate everything from small packages and individual pallets to machine parts, garments, and fresh produce. Tropical Shipping has more than 15,000 containers to suit your needs. 
To assist in port operations, Tropical Shipping owns and operates a wide range of equipment, including chassis, container cranes, straddle carriers, jockey trucks and reach stackers. 

• New Three Straddle Carriers
• New Mobile Harbor Crane
• New 40’ Reefer Fleet Expansion
• 1,125 newbuild 20’ and 40’ Dry Containers

All You Need To Know About The
Port of Palm Beach In Less Than Three Minutes

Heavy Lift Services Handles Large Shipment Of Steel Rebar

Port tenant Heavy Lift Services recently partnered with US Maritime to unload 6,000 short tons of steel rebar. The shipment originated in Algeria and will be distributed in Florida and Texas. Rebar is widely used in the construction industry, especially for concrete reinforcement. The rebar is currently being stored in the Port's Annex property. 

Heavy Lift Services is also handling multi sectional mobile homes bound for Marsh Harbour. 

Margaritaville at Sea Expands "Heroes Sail Free" Program 

 Margaritaville at Sea has increased its availability for its industry-first “Heroes Sail Free” program, in partnership with GovX, by offering a free cruise on any sailing to Heroes sailing with a paying a guest. The change ensures all qualified U.S. military service members (active duty and veterans), police, fire, EMS personnel, nurses and educators have the chance to enjoy one free cruise to the Bahamas per year aboard the Margaritaville at Sea Paradise. 

Guests can also take advantage of Margaritaville at Sea’s new Fall offer*, with rates as low as $109 and a $50 cabin credit.

                       

According to Sheehan, there is still some availability for qualified Heroes sailing as single or double occupancy who book by Oct. 11, but inventory is going fast. “Additional Heroes-only sailings will be offered at a later date, so we encourage everyone to follow us on social media for the latest information and other offers.”

Coordinated through a partnership with GovX.com, Heroes are able to verify their eligibility through GovX and book their free 3-day, 2-night cruise from the Port of Palm Beach in Florida to Freeport, Grand Bahama Island. 

“The response to the ‘Heroes Sail Free’ program has been beyond our greatest expectations,” said Alan Cole, CEO of GovX. “We applaud Margaritaville at Sea for expanding the program and are thrilled to continue booking these cruises through 2023 and beyond.”

Book your next cruise getaway now 

Port of Palm Beach Recognized By The Marine Industries Association Of Palm Beach County

On September 28th, the Marine Industries Association of Palm Beach County recognized the Port of Palm Beach District for its 10-year commitment as members of the association. 

Board Chairman Blair Ciklin accepted the glass engraved award during the association's award dinner at the North Palm Beach Country Club.

We want to thank the association for protecting & promoting the marine industry in PBC and for giving back to our local communities.

CEMEX Organizes Hurricane Relief Supply Drive

CEMEX Terminal Manager Matt Horne and his team are collecting donations for the victims of Hurricane Ian. They are accepting bottled water, canned goods, lighter fluid, charcoal, first aid kits, hygiene products, new sheets and blankets and socks. 

You can also drop off the donations on the 6th floor of MOC and Matt will pick up the donations before he heads to the West Coast at the end of the month to donate the supplies to the Jack Brewer Foundation. 

Thank you to all who have donated thus far!

Port of Palm Beach tenant Tropical Shipping has several job openings in the Riviera Beach area.

This month, the company posted the following positions on its website:

• Dispatcher

• Property Loss Adjustor
• Signal Person
• Truck Driver
• Stockroom Coordinator
• Sales/Underwriting Producer
• Documentation Coordinator

View job openings and apply here 

Tropical Shipping Featured In Lifetime's Military Makeover Series

With employees and operations in more than 30 countries, Tropical Shipping employees reflect both the local communities they serve and the people with whom they do business. Those are some of the reasons they’re a perfect fit for veterans.

CEMEX Careers

Terminal Operator or Assistant Manager 

SSI Petroleum Careers

Dispatcher- Bulk Fuel

Fuel Polisher/ Tank Wagon Driver

Star Fleet cdl Class A Driver

October Port Employees Work Anniversaries 

Congratulations to the following employees who are celebrating a work anniversary:

Harbormaster Jeff Baker-  21 years 

Security Sergeant Sean Hunter- 18 years

Security Officer Kuumba Payne- 17 years

Security Officer Michael Bennett-  15 years

Facilities Worker & Locomotive Conductor David Pierce- 10 years

Facilities Worker Eklund Fredericks- 9 years

Assistant Controller Bruce Cuningham- 2 years

Facilities Worker Ellis Ross- 1 year

Security Officer Carlos Kamaka- 1 year

Stay In The Know 

• Extension of Cleaning Services Contract with Overtime Building Maintenance 
• Port of Palm Beach Tariff #24A and Freight/ Rail Tariff #8016-A
• Group Health Insurance 
• Union Contract
• FY 2023 Budgets
• Union Contract
• Purchase of marine fenders
• Emergency waterline repair 

Listen to Board Meetings Online

Upcoming Commission Meetings

You're invited to attend our Board of Commissioners meetings.  

• October 27th at 4 PM
• November 18th at 4 PM
• December 15th at 4 PM

View agendas and minutes 

During this month's Board meeting, the Port of Palm Beach District Board of Commissioners plan to discuss the appointment process for the Group 2 seat that will be vacant November 8th following Commissioner Katherine Waldron's resignation. 

The Port's Administrative Offices will be closed on Friday, November 11, 2022 in observance of Veterans Day. Please call the Port's Main Security Gate at 561-383-4144 for immediate assistance.

Stay Tuned For A Second Episode Of
"Import Export Your Port"
On Palm Beach County TV20

This year's episode is focused on Port security. The 30-minute program includes interviews with Director of Security Rick Placeres, Special Projects Manager Aaron Hoffman and United States Customs and Border Protection Port Director David Scroggins. 

Watch last year's episode

In The News

Giving Back!

The female manatee was rescued on March 29th at Port Everglades. According to FWC, she was found severely emaciated at about half of what she should weigh. Now she weighs over 1,000 pounds and has made a strong recovery!

Florida Fish and Wildlife, Manatee Lagoon and Sea World, with the help of Cemex employees, released the manatee into the wild on October 5, 2022.