Port of Palm Beach Adds New Business

During the June board meeting, the Port of Palm Beach Commission approved a new contract at the Port.

Effective August 1^st, Thalle Construction and SAB Solutions will be occupying two acres on the southwest perimeter of the Port.

With this new business, the Port of Palm Beach will support building and construction projects throughout Florida, including a major 10-year project in Belle Glade involving the construction of an 18-mile dam in partnership with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

As part of this operation, an estimated 300,000 tons of rock will be transported from Canada to the Port of Palm Beach annually.   

The contract is expected to exceed 3M tons over the initial 10-year term. We look forward to the added activity, continued growth, and jobs this contract will bring to our Port community and beyond.

Construction on Port Infrastructure Development Program

Construction Progress

• CES Building demo is completed. July 25th is a final inspection walk through with CBP. Turnover back to CBP is scheduled for 8/1. 

• Main Gate has two open lanes (one ingress/one egress).
• The Main Gate Booth was installed in July. The CBP booths arrived at the Port on July 10th.

The PIDP is set to enhance the Port's infrastructure and boost it's operational efficiency. 

Key Enhancements:

• Revamped Main Port Gate: The redesign of the main port gate off MLK Blvd. will introduce additional lanes, streamlining truck entry and improving cargo transport efficiency within the Port.
• Advanced Truck Processing System: A new system will cut incoming container truck wait times by 50%, significantly reducing emissions and enhancing overall port operations.
• Expanded Freight Rail Capacity: The project will boost annual freight rail capacity by 116%, increasing it from 44,000 to nearly 100,000 TEUs. The addition of new rail tracks will also provide increased storage for rail cars within the port.

• Reduced Truck Traffic: By expanding intermodal rail capacity, the project will eliminate 29,000 truck trips annually from the congested Interstate 95 corridor and surface transportation network.
• Job Creation: At least 105 direct jobs will be created during the construction phase, providing a boost to the local economy.

The design build project is a collaboration between the Port, Gonzalez & Sons Equipment Inc., HDR, PSA Management, Transystems and Moffatt and Nichol. 

The project is divided into four phases. 

Phase 1: rail tracks west of Slip 2, a parking lot west of the molasses tanks and the refrigerated container area just east of the Port's main entrance.

Phase 2: Open South Gate to traffic, construct south track area and section of South Port Road 

Phase 3: Open Main Gate to traffic, close old interchange, and construct North Port Road and Avenue E

Phase 4: Complete remaining items

Below are aerial photos taken in early June that capture the progression of the PIDP Project.

Cruise Terminal Parking Project Update

The contractor is substantially complete, and the Port is awaiting the final inspection.

Cruise Terminal Canopy Project

The contractor is excavating the footings for the canopy frame posts and installiTheThe contractor is excavating the footings for the canopy frame posts and installing electrical conduits.
electrical conduits.

Elevator Modernization

The project started June 1st. The first elevator in the cruise terminal, is scheduled to be completed by August 1st.

 Cargo Tonnage Reports

                                                           Year-to-Date    Prior Year-to-Date

TEUS                                      182,878        170,726                         

Rail Cars                                9,010            9,004

Raw Sugar                             443,000        404,816

Cement                                  220,396          74,496

Liquid Asphalt                       88,477           89,310

Molasses                                178,700          166,922

Recyclable Steel                    32,633           38,070

Break-bulk                              103,851          102,930

Summer Interns Tour Sugar Warehouse

The first week of the internship program our interns were able to take a tour of the port for their first time and see everything that the Port of Palm Beach does. One of the stops was at the Sugar Warehouse and they got to learn about the process of how it's made and where it ends up after leaving the port. They experienced the rich flavor of pure cane sugar firsthand!

Port Activity Days

Our summer interns got the chance to tour some port operations these past few weeks. From climbing Ozinga's large cement dome to learning how U.S. Customs and Border Protection keeps our country safe, the interns have been exposed to careers beyond the Port!

Our summer interns had the opportunity to get an inside looks at Tropical Shipping's headquarters. They were able to learn and see everything from the processing facility, to the behind the scenes look of making sure all of Tropical's clients receive their goods as well as top notch customer service. Thank you Tropical Shipping for letting us spend the day with you!  

Our summer interns toured the U.S. Customs and Border Protection passenger processing area and learned just how much goes into keeping our country safe. Thank you to the officers for all your hardwork.

Our summer interns got a firsthand look at the Ozinga cement terminal. They learned how powdered cement is offloaded from ships,stored, and eventually transported by truck to a nearby ready-mix plant in the City of Riviera Beach. Thank you to Ozinga Terminal Manager Arnoldo Lara for the tour and beautiful views!

Inclusive Port Tour Lets Local Students Play Cruise Passenger for a Day

At the end of June, we gave a tour to Bodwell Academy students here at the Port of Palm Beach. They had fun acting like they were boarding the Margaritaville at Sea Paradise cruise ship. They also got to meet our dedicate United States Customs and Border Protection officers and take a tour of the passenger processing center and cargo examination building. 

Port of Palm Beach Hosts Communication Organization of the Palm Beaches

In mid-June, our Public Information Officer Yaremi Farinas hosted a local group called the Communication Organization of the Palm Beaches.

The group is made up of fellow communicators from across the county who represent a diverse mix of public agencies and backgrounds.

Executive Director Michael Meekins welcomed the group by highlighting the critical role communicators and PIO's play in keeping their communities informed, engaged, and prepared.

The Port invited guest speaker Stephanie Slater Goldfuss the Director of Communications for Lesser, Landy, Smith & Siegel, PLLC. She provided an interactive presentation and shared valuable insights on communication strategies that truly resonated with the group. 

Margaritaville at Sea Offering All-New Themed Cruises in 2026 Aboard Paradise

Margaritaville at Sea has released its 2026 sailing calendar for the cruise line’s maiden vessel Paradise, offering exciting new adventures centered around major annual holidays, celebrations and events. From the ultimate pre-party pregame to Key West to the ship’s first-ever voyage to Cozumel in time for Cinco de Mayo, guests can find their perfect slice of paradise throughout the year.

Notable themed cruises on the 2026 calendar include: 

• Big Game Getaway (Feb. 7) – Everybody wins with this 3-night weekend sailing with big game-day festivities, big screen viewing, and themed specials.  
• Valentine’s Day (Feb. 13) – Love is on deck for starry-eyed soulmates and sweethearts during this romantic Valentine’s Day weekend cruise.  
• St. Patrick’s Day (Mar. 16) – Follow the rainbow to golden Bahamian beaches and sip in beer specials, themed menus and more. 
• Cinco de Mayo (May 3) – Paradise will embark on its first-ever 4-night cruise to Cozumel for a one-of-a-kind Cinco de Mayo celebration.  
• Jimmy Buffett Day (Aug. 28) – Celebrate the legend himself on a 4-night sailing to Key West, filled with Jimmy’s favorite music, memories, and margaritas. 
• Key West Week (Oct. 15, 19, 23) – Choose from three different 4-night cruises to experience Key West at its most fun. 
• Very Merry Margaritaville at Sea (Dec. 24) – Trade the stockings for flip-flops with a festive, island-style holiday cruise over Christmas. Then, soak in the energy and excitement of the Junkanoo festival (Dec. 26) in the Bahamian capital during a port stop in Nassau. 

Social Media Buzz

Margaritaville at Sea's Special Offers

Intern Connection

This month our interns got the chance to network with former Port interns and hear their inspiring stories! 

Job Opportunities

Palm Beach Parking

Tropical Shipping

Credit Representative 

Port Mechanic

Truck Driver

Business Intelligence Analyst

Cargo Handling Specialist 

Cargo Inspector

Human Resources Coordinator

Contact Human Resources to set up your interview at apernsteiner@tropical.com or lvelez@tropical.com 

Heavy Lift Services/ Gulfstream Line

Checker

Forklift Operator

Truck Driver

For more information, please contact Vice President Tina Dias tina@gulfstreamline.com or President Glen Dias at glen@gulfstreamline.com.

CEMEX

Welder

Operator Haul Truck

Driver Ready Mix

SSI Petroleum

CDL Fuel Driver - Palm Beach and Broward Counties

Fuel Dispatcher (experienced)- Riviera Beach

For more information, please contact SSI's Human Resources Manager Vivian Prescott by phone at 863-508-1406 or email vprescott@ssipetro.com.

            

About SSI Petroleum 

Ozinga

CDL Ready Mix Driver

CDL Bulk Driver

Quality Control Technician

Terminal Laborer

Upcoming Commission Meetings

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

• August 14
• September 18
• October 16

View agendas and minutes 

July Workiversaries for Port Employees

Congratulations to the following employees who are celebrating a workiversary:

Facilities Worker/Locomotive Engineer Todd Scaife- July 29 (6 years)

Security Officer Dunstan Rainford- July 22 (12 years)

 Manager of Contract Compliance & Accounts Receivable 

Lauren Williams- July 5 (7 years)

Facilities Worker/Locomotive Engineer Richard McQuade- 

July 24 (2 years)

Security Officer Stephanie King- July 11 (12 years)

Records Retention Specialist Aisha Campbell- July 17 (2 years)