Port Manatee's E-Newsletter · April 30, 2012
Manatee County Port Authority Approves $13 Million Berth 12 Extension And Container Yard Construction
Port Manatee approved a contract with American Bridge Company for a 584-foot extension of Berth 12 and a 10-acre container yard.
The Manatee County Port Authority approved a $13 million contract April 19 with American Bridge Company for a 584-foot extension of Berth 12 and a 10-acre container yard, finishing a port expansion project originating in 1997.
The project is expected to be complete by mid-2013, well in advance of the on-going expansion of the Panama Canal - now expected to be operational in 2015. When finished, Berth 12 will be 1,584 feet long with a 40-foot draft and be capable of handling Panamax-sized ships arriving at Port Manatee's first dedicated container facility. This phase of the project complements dredging completed in October 2011.
"The Manatee County Port Authority's vision for Port Manatee is being realized in dramatic fashion with this project," observed Port Manatee Executive Director Carlos Buqueras. "Years of planning and execution will result in hundreds of new construction jobs and hundreds more of full-time on-port employment opportunities related to the container business."
American Bridge was selected from 11 contractors, ranging from the winning low bid of $13,075,487 to a high bid of $15,510,000. After receiving authorization to proceed, American Bridge expects to complete construction in June 2013.
CH2M Hill will provide construction-phase engineering services, assuring that the project is built to design specifications.
Port Manatee purchased 412 acres of land for the project in 1997, providing the first waterside expansion opportunity outside its original footprint since opening in 1970. The 1,100 acre Tampa Bay port has since grown to become the Sunshine State's fourth-largest, in terms of tons, and is responsible for an annual economic impact of $2.3 billion and supports directly or indirectly 24,000 Florida jobs.
The Florida International Gateway (a nearly 3,900 acre greenfield warehouse and distribution development opportunity) is immediately adjacent to Port Manatee, which is served directly by the CSX rail system and Interstates 275, I-75 and nearby I-4.
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Governor Signs Bills
To Boost Florida Seaports
Florida Governor
Rick Scott
Florida Gov. Rick Scott signed Senate Bill 1998 (SB 1998) - the Transportation Appropriations Conforming Bill - into law April 20 establishing new initiatives and allocating new funds for Florida's 15 deepwater seaports.
Furthering his pledge to give Florida's seaports a competitive edge over other Southeastern and Gulf of Mexico ports, the new law increases funding in several ways and improves processes that have previously impeded growth.
"By increasing minimum funding levels and providing new sources of funding for strategic seaport projects, the governor and the legislature demonstrated their commitment to growing Florida's economy and creating jobs," stated Doug Wheeler, president of the Florida Ports Council. "International trade is the best opportunity for enhancing Florida's economy and Florida's ports are the gateway to trade partners all over the globe."
On April 20, the governor also signed the 2012/2013 Budget (HB 5001) and the 2012 Transportation Legislation (HB 599) into law. Together with the Transportation Appropriations Conforming Bill (SB 1998), the laws accomplish the following for Florida seaports:
- Increases minimum funding for the Florida Seaport Transportation Economic Development (FSTED) program from $8 million to $15 million
(SB 1998/HB 599) - Creates the Strategic Port Investment Initiative with a minimum of $35 million. This new program will be administered by the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) in cooperation with Florida seaports. (SB 1998/HB 599)
- Provides $135 million for strategic transportation projects in the FDOT Work Program and the FSTED Program. (HB 5001)
- Authorizes $10 million in bonds beginning in 2013 for seaport projects in the FDOT Work Program (SB 1998/HB 599)
- Creates an expedited hearing process for environmental resource permits (SB 1998/HB 599).
U.S. Free Trade
Agreements Update
Sandra Campbell
Director
Sandra Campbell, director of the U.S. Commercial Service Clearwater, provided an update on the United States' Free Trade Agreements with Colombia, South Korea and Panama during the Manatee County Port Authority Meeting April 19.
The U.S. Free Trade Agreement with South Korea went into effect March 15, 2012. The agreement makes nearly 80 percent of U.S. exports duty-free and most remaining tariffs will be eliminated in 10 years.
The U.S. Free Trade Agreement with Colombia will go into effect May 15, 2012. It will eliminate tariffs for more than 80 percent of U.S. exports of consumer and industrial products (excluding petroleum) immediately upon implementation and 87 percent within five years. Nearly 100 percent of industrial and textile goods will become duty-free upon implementation and 89 percent of agricultural goods will also become duty-free.
The U.S. Congress ratified a Free Trade Agreement with Panama in October 2011. Once the agreement is fully implemented, 87 percent of U.S. exports of consumer and industrial products to Panama will become duty-free immediately. U.S. products that will gain immediate duty-free access include agricultural and construction equipment, aircraft and parts, medical and scientific equipment, environmental products, pharmaceuticals, fertilizers and agro-chemicals.
Most tariffs will drop from an average of 10-15 percent to zero and the remaining tariffs will be phased out in the next 10 years.
Panama's strategic location as a major shipping route enhances the importance of the free trade agreement. Approximately two-thirds of the Panama Canal's annual transits are bound to or from U.S. ports.
The 2014 completion of the $5.25 billion Panama Canal expansion is expected to be a catalyst for new trade lanes, serving new markets and U.S. ports throughout the upper Gulf of Mexico and South Atlantic. The project essentially doubles the canal's present capacity with the creation of two new sets of locks, enhanced navigational features and the addition of new access channels - all to accommodate larger post-Panamax-sized ships.
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Executive Director Connects
With Customers And Community
Carlos Buqueras
Executive Director
In an effort to get to know the needs and opportunities of Port Manatee and the Tampa Bay maritime community, Executive Director Carlos Buqueras has hit the ground running since assuming the port's leading role January 2012.
"I look forward to leading Port Manatee to new levels of success and I believe that building strong relationships, both locally and internationally, is key to selling this port," Buqueras said.
In his first four months, Buqueras has sought new business opportunities in Latin America and Europe. He has been to Chile and Brazil and is planning a trip to Spain in May. He was appointed to Florida's District Export Council by U.S. Secretary of Commerce John E. Bryson in March and hosted meetings with U.S. Customs and the U.S. Commercial Service. Buqueras has also met with many others representing public and private business interests and actively participates in the Port Manatee Propeller Club to engage the local community.
If you haven't had a chance to meet Buqueras, the Manatee County Port Authority board meets on the third Thursday of each month, (except July) at 9 a.m. at the Port Manatee Intermodal Center and meetings are open to the public.
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Please let us know. Contact Us.
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300 Tampa Bay Way Palmetto, FL 34221 U.S.A.
Phone: 941-722-6621 Fax: 941-729-1463
portmanatee.com
/ Inside This Issue
Manatee County Port Authority Approves $13 Million Berth 12 Extension And Container Yard Construction
Governor Signs Bill To
Boost Florida Seaports
U.S. Free Trade
Agreements Update
Executive Director
Connects With Customers
And Community
State College of Florida
Offers New Maritime Degree
National Maritime Day
Wreath Laying Ceremony
May 22
Calendar
State College of Florida Offers New Maritime Degree
State College of Florida is offering a new degree, the Bachelor of Applied Science in International Business and Trade (IBT). The degree provides students in Manatee and Sarasota counties with the knowledge, skills and experience necessary for successful careers leading, supervising and managing in a global business environment, with an optional concentration in Maritime Management.
The Maritime Management concentration will prepare individuals to fill jobs necessary for the operation of Florida's 15 deepwater seaports spanning the largest state coastline in the continental United States, supporting one of the most robust water business and tourism industries in the country.
For more information about the degree and its requirements, contact David Auxier, director Workforce Solutions at .
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National Maritime Day Wreath Laying Ceremony May 22
In honor of National Maritime Day, the Port Manatee Propeller Club is hosting a wreath laying ceremony at the port Tuesday, May 22 at 10 a.m. Port employees, tenants, users, customers, propeller club members and members of the public are invited to attend. For security reasons, please RSVP to Port Manatee Propeller Club President Jill VanderPol at 941-722-6621.
The United States Congress created National Maritime Day in 1933 to recognize the sacrifices made by domestic seafarers and the U.S. Merchant Marines. May 22 is set aside each year to commemorate these sacrifices. Over the years, this date has evolved to include a day of education and public awareness for the public to better understand the importance of safe, secure and efficient international trade and the roles played by the nation's ports.
The Propeller Club is also hosting the Seventh Annual Port Manatee Propeller Club James R. Waters Memorial Golf Classic in honor of National Maritime Day. The event takes place May 18 at 1 p.m. at Stoneybrook Golf Club in Bradenton. For more information, contact Denise Stufflebeam at 941-722-6621.
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Calendar
May 17
Manatee County
Port Authority Meeting
(NOTE - Time Change
to 2 p.m.)
Port Manatee
Intermodal Center
2 p.m.
May 18
Port Manatee
Propeller Club
James R. Waters
Memorial Golf Classic Stoneybrook Golf Club
Bradenton, Noon
May 22
National Maritime Day
Wreath Laying Ceremony
Port Manatee, 10 a.m.
May 28
Memorial Day Holiday
Port offices closed
June 14
Port Manatee
Propeller Club Meeting Bradenton Yacht Club
5:30 p.m.
June 21
Manatee County
Port Authority Meeting
Port Manatee
Intermodal Center
9 a.m.
June 25
Sarasota/Manatee Metropolitan Planning Organization
Selby Auditorium, USF
Sarasota
9 a.m.
July 4
Independence Day
Holiday
Port offices closed
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2012 Manatee County
Port Authority Board
Chairman
Larry Bustle
Vice Chairman
Carol Whitmore
Second Vice Chairman
Robin DiSabatino
Third Vice Chairman
Michael Gallen
Member
John Chappie
Member
Donna Hayes
Member
Joe McClash
If you have questions, comments or concerns, please contact us.
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