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Esteban Guerra Named BND Commission Chairman

BROWNSVILLE, Texas – May 20, 2022 – Brownsville Navigation District (BND) Commissioner Esteban Guerra was unanimously appointed to serve as chairman of the BND Board of Commissioners during the board’s regular meeting held Wednesday, May 18, 2022.

Guerra serves as chairman alongside BND Vice Chairman Ralph Cowen and BND Secretary of the Board John Wood, also unanimously appointed to serve as part of the executive board. Commissioners John Reed and Sergio Tito Lopez round out the board as assistant secretaries.

Wood, Commissioner Place 2, and Guerra, Commissioner Place 4, were re-elected to the board in the BND election on May 7. During the swearing-in ceremony, Wood was administered the Oath of Office by his son Frank Wood while Guerra was administered the Oath of Office by State District Judge Gabriela Garcia.

A longtime civic and communi

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Growing to New Depths

Editor’s Note: This article is featured in the latest edition of the Port of Brownsville Directory. Click HERE to view directory or to request a copy.

Arguably, the most valuable asset of any port is the depth of its channel.

The depth of a port’s channel can be compared to the length of an airport’s runway. The longer the runway, the bigger the planes. The deeper the channel, the bigger the ships.

For example, with just one more inch of draft – or depth – a ship can carry 770,000 additional bushels of wheat valued at more than $60,000.

Through the Brazos Island Harbor Channel Improvement Project (BIH), the Port of Brownsville plans to deepen its channel from 42 feet to 52 feet – 10 feet deeper! With that much additional draft, the cost savings for shipping

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Keppel AmFELS Designated Texas Enterprise Zone

The Governor’s Office of Economic Development and Tourism (EDT) on Mar. 21,  announced the approval of a Texas Enterprise Zone project designation for an application submitted on behalf of Keppel AmFELS, Inc. (Keppel AmFELS) by the City of Brownsville. The capital investment project is estimated to result in a $27.6 million net benefit (after-tax abatement) for the city. The announcement noted that Keppel AmFELS would enable the retention of 500 jobs in Brownsville, ultimately impacting economic development within the region.

Keppel AmFELS is a wholly owned subsidiary of Keppel Offshore & Marine, a world leader in providing total solutions to the offshore, marine and energy industries with a global network of yards and offices. In Brownsville, Keppel AmFELS focuses on the construction, refurbishment, conversion, life extension and repair of a complete range of platforms and ves

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ISL Completes First EU Ship Recycling Project in the U.S.

Recycler EMR Group announced on April 25 the completion of the first European Union ship recycled in the United States by International Shipbreaking Ltd (ISL).

The project follows a $30 million investment in new equipment and processes at ISL’s site at the Port of Brownsville to meet the requirements of the rigorous EU Ship Recycling Regulation (EU SSR).

The MT Wolverine is a 158-meter-long chemical tanker with a carrying capacity of 16,000 tons. Prior to being decommissioned, she was sailing under the flag of Norway. Using innovative and sustainable recycling processes, ISL was able to recycle 97 percent of the materials removed from the MT Wolverine.

“The arrival of MT Wolverine at our Brownville site was a proud day for everyone at International Shipbuilding Ltd,” said Chris Green, Senior Manager at ISL. “By i

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Governor Abbott highlights Port of Brownsville as a key component of Texas’ booming energy industry

BROWNSVILLE, Texas – April, 5, 2022 – Texas Governor Greg Abbott highlighted the Port of Brownsville as a key component of Texas’ booming energy industry and as a critical asset to the Lone Star State’s economic success during an economic roundtable discussion with industry leaders and key stakeholders held at the port Wednesday, March 30.

“Ports are the gateway to the might of the Texas economy and the Port of Brownsville is vital infrastructure for our booming energy industry,” said Governor Abbott. “The Port of Brownsville is rapidly growing the economy of the Rio Grande Valley and bringing new opportunities to South Texans, and I look forward to continuing our state’s partnership with members of the port sector to unleash the full potential of all that the Port of Brownsville has to offer.”

As longshoremen unloaded steel slabs from a vessel docked in the

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Commemorating Western Hemisphere Ports Day

BROWNSVILLE, Texas – April, 5, 2022 – Remaining open for business throughout a tumultuous time brought by a global pandemic and challenging world markets, the Port of Brownsville embodies the 7th Annual ‘Western Hemisphere Ports Day’ theme of resiliency and sustainability.

Today the port, in partnership with the American Association of Port Authorities (AAPA), commemorates the annual event that recognizes the port industry’s role in efficient goods movement, job creation and propelling the economy in nations they serve across the Americas. This year’s Ports Day theme, Resiliency & Building a Sustainable Future, explores the willpower, adaptability, and drive of the port industry, and how these qualities have continuously navigated this industry through challenging times.

Thanks to thoughtful

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Port Channel Project Scores Major Funding

By Steve Clark/ The Brownsville Herald

The Port of Brownsville will receive $68 million through the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers toward deepening the Brownsville Ship Channel in order for the port to accommodate larger vessels and remain competitive. U.S. Representatives Filemon Vela and Vicente Gonzalez made the announcement Tuesday.

The funds are part of $79 million from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law for “historic water infrastructure projects” in Brownsville and Galveston that will have a big impact on South Texas, according to the announcement.

“The $68 million investment to deepen the Brazos Island Harbor Channel at the Port of Brownsville in Texas will enable increased cargo movements, reduced transit times and improved operational safety,” they said. “Completing the (BIH) deep draft navigation project is a high priority for both the Rio Grande Va

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2022 State of the Port Address: Continued Progress at the Port of Brownsville Provides Positive Outlook for the RGV Economy

BROWNSVILLE, Texas – March 24, 2022 —The Port of Brownsville remains a stronghold for the Rio Grande Valley’s economy providing record-setting tonnage and robust operating revenues for FY 2021.

Brownsville Navigation District Board Chairman Sergio Tito Lopez highlighted these achievements at the 2022 State of the Port Address held today at the Rancho Viejo Convention Center in Rancho Viejo, TX.

The unaudited operating revenues for FY 2021 surpassed the $30 million mark for the second consecutive year at $34 million, while cargo tonnage amounted to 13.8 million tons, breaking a previous record of 11.6 million in 2020.

“The Port of Brownsville remains strong and focused on its mission. We have not only remained open for business, but we have also grown,” said Lopez. “As vessels continue to bring more cargo, more jobs are created and sustained. We continue to invest in

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Paving the Path for Commerce: Ribbon Cutting Ceremony Opens South Port Connector Road

BROWNSVILLE, Texas – March 4, 2022 — The Port of Brownsville held a ribbon cutting ceremony today for the Rio Grande Valley’s latest commerce route, the 1.9 mile-long South Port Connector Road. The new road will officially open for business Monday, March 7, at 6 a.m.

The road project is a collaborative effort between the Brownsville Navigation District (BND), Cameron County, the Cameron County Regional Mobility Authority (CCRMA), the Rio Grande Valley Metropolitan Planning Organization (RGVMPO), and the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) to improve port access and ease urban traffic in the Brownsville area.

BND Board Chairman Sergio Tito Lopez commemorated the event by driving a truck through a ceremonial ribbon, officially opening the road for domestic and international trade.

“The Port of Brownsville is committed to investing in infras

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Diversified Success

Editor’s Note: This article is featured in the latest edition of the Port of Brownsville Directory. Click HERE to view directory or to request a copy.

Steel is a large and significant mainstay in Brownsville, where the port is the major gateway for steel into Mexico, moving more than three million short tons of steel commodities per year.

The Port of Brownsville

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Port of Brownsville Update on KURV’s Radio Show

On Tuesday, January 25, Port Director and CEO Eduardo A. Campirano was a featured guest on KURV’s radio show “The Valley’s Morning News” with Sergio Sanchez and Tim Sullivan. Campirano highlighted several multi-billion dollar projects currently in the works and provided a 2022 forecast for the port.

Listen Here

 

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2021 Port of Brownsville Year in Review

 

While the aftereffects of 2020 continue to reverberate across industries worldwide, the Port of Brownsville overcame significant challenges to develop sustainable infrastructure and job creation for local families and businesses. As we look back at the quarterly highlights of 2021, we celebrate the successes and look forward to the promise of 2022.

 

First Quarter

  • In its annual State of the Port, the port reported record-breaking statistics with the movement of  11.6 million short tons of diverse cargo with operating revenues of $37 million for FY 2020.
  • International Shipbreaking, part of the world-leading recycler EMR Metal Recycling, gained EU Ship Recycling Regulation (EU SSR) accreditation – the first in the United States – for its site at the Port of Brownsville after investing $30 million in compliant infrastructur
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Port of Brownsville Recognizes Schaefer Stevedoring with 2021 Chairman’s Award

BROWNSVILLE, Texas — December 14, 2021 — The Port of Brownsville presented Schaefer Stevedoring with its 2021 Chairman’s Award in honor of the company’s achievements throughout its 30 years of operation.
Brownsville Navigation District Chairman Sergio Tito Lopez presented the award to Ken Schaefer, president and owner of Schaefer Stevedoring, on Dec. 14 during the annual Customer Appreciation Luncheon held at the Rancho Viejo Convention Center in Rancho Viejo.

 

Headquartered at the port, Schaefer Stevedoring is an international stevedoring company providing shipping services within the maritime and port logistics industries of the United States and Mexico. The family-owned company currently employs 85 staff members at its Brownsville headquarters.

 

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TXDoT Gives Port Top Marks in Risk Assessment

The Texas Department of Transportation (TXDoT) in October issued the Port of Brownsville a grade A score for its Local Government Risk Assessment based on the performance of the South Port Connector Road construction project.
A risk score of A signifies that the Brownsville Navigation District (BND) presents a low-level risk to TXDoT based on the current project performance. The Local Government Risk Assessment and Qualifications Review process includes criteria such as a local government’s credibility, audit history, financial records, compliance, communications, expertise, stability, and teamwork. Interdepartmental collaboration between port departments was key in achieving the score.
Construction of t

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