Port of Brownsville’s Foreign Trade Zone Drives Record-Setting $9 Billion of Combined Import and Export Value

FTZ No. 62 continues to power economic progress in the Rio Grande Valley and bring value to the Port of Brownsville

BROWNSVILLE, Texas (May 5, 2020) — Foreign Trade Zone No. 62 at the Port of Brownsville reported a record-setting $8.9 billion in the combined value of exports and imports for 2019.
The total value of export shipments through FTZ No. 62 reached $4.3 billion in 2019, an increase from $3.8 billion the year before. In turn, the FTZ received $4.6 billion in imports. These numbers, the highest in the zone’s history, saw products in the petroleum industry and shipbuilding equipment bring the most value, supported by the steady transport of steel, aluminum and wind energy products.

With domestic exports and foreign imports valued in the billions, FTZ No. 62 continues to be a positive economic driver for communities throughout the R

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Commemorating the Fifth Annual Western Hemisphere Ports Day

BY JOHN REED, CHAIRMAN, BROWNSVILLE NAVIGATION DISTRICT

April 5th marks the fifth annual Western Hemisphere Ports Day, which recognizes the port industry’s key role in creating logistics and manufacturing jobs and propelling the economy in nations they serve across the Americas. Usually, this date marks celebrations across a number of coastlines showcasing all the great work people in our industry are doing, but we are well aware these are not normal times. Rather than stopping to celebrate, the Port of Brownsville is working hard to maintain safe and responsible essential operations. This work supports local, regional and national priorities while ensuring we continue to be an economic engine for the Rio Grande Valley (RGV), helping provide essential goods and services to power our local economy.

While the current crisis is unprecedented, ch

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COVID-19 Update – Port of Brownsville Remains in Service

Dear Colleagues and Business Partners,

In recent weeks, governments at the local, state and federal level have taken specific actions to curb and limit the spread of COVID-19. As of today, more than 100 million Americans have been ordered to stay home to protect public health. At the same time, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Cybersecurity & Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) issued guidance on Essential Critical Infrastructure Workers during the COVID-19 pandemic – which specifies trade, transport and logistics as essential industries.

The Port of Brownsville, and especially the Brownsville Navigation District, accepts its responsibility and recognizes the importance of our port remaining operational to support national, regional and local priorities during this difficult time.

The safety and well-being of our people is our top priority. Given the evolving

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Brownsville Navigation District Defers Elections to Safeguard Community Against Coronavirus

BROWNSVILLE, Texas – March 27, 2020 – In a special telephonic public meeting today, the Brownsville Navigation District (BND) unanimously approved the deferral of the previously scheduled May 2nd  commission elections until November 3rd – coinciding with other local, state and federal elections – as a further step to safeguard the community from the potential spread of the coronavirus. The deferral will safeguard poll volunteers and the voting public, and is pursuant to a proclamation of the Governor of Texas and a related advisory issued by the Texas Secretary of State.

Today’s meeting was recorded and audio from the meeting will be available starting tomorrow at Read More

Brownsville Navigation District Considers Postponing May 2nd Election to Safeguard Community Against Coronavirus

Special Telephonic Meeting Scheduled for 12 p.m. Friday, March 27

BROWNSVILLE, Texas — Tuesday, March 24, 2020 —The Brownsville Navigation District (BND) will consider postponing the scheduled May 2nd commission elections until November as a further step to safeguard the community from the potential spread of the coronavirus and pursuant to a proclamation of the Governor of Texas and a related advisory issued by the Texas Secretary of State.

If approved by the BND, the commission elections will be conducted on Tuesday, November 3 with other local, state and federal elections.

The postponement will be considered at a special meeting of the BND on Friday, March 27 at 12 p.m. Given the recommended restrictions on public gatherings, the meeting will be conducted by telephone conference call that is open to the public. Anyone wishing to participate in th

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Mensaje a Nuestra Comunidad Sobre el COVID-19

17 de marzo de 2020

Conscientes de la situación de salud actual por la propagación del COVID-19, el Puerto de Brownsville se mantiene atento a las medidas de precaución recomendadas por los Centros para el Control y la Prevención de Enfermedades, el Departamento del Salud del Estado de Texas y las dependencias de salud pública locales.

En estos momentos el Puerto de Brownsville opera bajo el protocolo de comunicación correspondiente al plan general de emergencia del distrito de navegación.

Desde el 2 de marzo de 2020, las autoridades portuarias han llevado a cabo una serie de reuniones con dependencias federales, empleados del puerto, representantes de las empresas que operan en el puerto y demás usuarios sobre las medidas de prevención para evitar el contagio del COVID-19.

Personal del puerto tambén ha adoptado las siguientes medidas para evitar la propaga

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An Advisory to Our Community Regarding COVID-19

April 6, 2020

Dear Colleagues and Business Partners,

In recent weeks, governments at the local, state and federal level have taken specific actions to curb and limit the spread of COVID-19. As of today, more than 100 million Americans have been ordered to stay home to protect public health. At the same time, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Cybersecurity & Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) issued guidance on Essential Critical Infrastructure Workers during the COVID-19 pandemic – which specifies trade, transport and logistics as essential industries.

The Port of Brownsville, and especially the Brownsville Navigation District, accepts its responsibility and recognizes the importance of our port remaining operational to support national, regional and local priorities during this difficult time.

The safety and well-being of our peo

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GFOA Recognizes Port of Brownsville for Excellence in Financial Reporting

BROWNSVILLE, Texas — For the eighth consecutive year, the Brownsville Navigation District Finance Department earned the Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting by the Government Finance Officers Association of the United States and Canada (GFOA) for its 2019 comprehensive annual financial report (CAFR).

The Certificate of Achievement is the highest form of recognition in the area of governmental accounting and financial reporting, and its attainment represents a significant accomplishment by a government and its management.

“This recognition is a testament to the Brownsville Navigation District’s commitment to best financial practices as the port’s tax base continues to grow”, said John Reed, BND chairman. “I congratulate and thank our BND Commission and port staff for this award and look forward to preserving this legacy of excellence for the

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Heavy Lifters Hit the Port

Two new mobile harbor cranes arrived Thursday, January 16, 2020 at the Port of Brownsville.

The cranes were purchased to increase the port’s on-dock lifting capacity due to higher demands of cargo volumes.

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Q&A with Eduardo Campirano on Mexico’s Natural Gas Market Development

Editor’s Note: NGI’s Mexico Gas Price Index, a leader tracking Mexico natural gas market reform, is offering the following question-and-answer (Q&A) column as part of a regular interview series with experts in the Mexican natural gas market.

This 22nd Q&A in the series is with Eduardo A. Campirano, Port Director and CEO of the Port of Brownsville, the only deepwater port on the U.S.-Mexico border. Since his appointment in 2007, the Port of Brownsville has improved its financial position by increasing its cash reserves, issued debt for infrastructure improvements, undertaken major road and infrastructure improvements and repairs, and has attracted port-related investments through public and private sector partnerships.

Campirano’s public service extends to his active participation in numerous civic and maritime industry organizations and

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New Mobile Harbor Cranes Arrive at Port of Brownsville

BROWNSVILLE, Texas (January 20, 2020) – Two new mobile harbor cranes arrived Thursday, January 16, at the Port of Brownsville.

The cranes arrived at the port on board the 393-foot long specialized cargo carrier M/V BBC ASIA.

The Brownsville Navigation District ordered the Konecranes Gottwald Model 6 mobile harbor cranes in June 2019 to increase the port’s on-dock lifting capacity due to higher demands of cargo volumes.

“These cranes are one of the latest investments by the Port of Brownsville to meet the needs of our port tenants and growing list of clients,” said Brownsville Navigation District Chairman John Reed. “The BND is committed to

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Capital Improvement Projects

The Port of Brownsville is making significant investments to enhance operations and attract new businesses to the region. Take a look at how we are continuing to transform the economic landscape of the Rio Grande Valley.

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Port of Brownsville Foreign Trade Zone ranks in Top 3 in the U.S. for Exports

BROWNSVILLE, Texas—Wednesday, December 11, 2019— Foreign Trade Zone No. 62 (FTZ) at the Port of Brownsville remains near the top in the nation for the value of exports, according to the U.S. Foreign-Trade Zones (FTZ) Board’s annual report to Congress released in late November.

FTZ No. 62 ranks third in the country with more than $3.8 billion in exported goods in 2018, an increase from the $3.5 billion reported in 2017. Since 2012, the port’s FTZ has consistently ranked in the top three for exports out of 293 FTZs nationwide. Additionally, FTZ No. 62 ranks number 21 in the nation for the value of imports totaling $3.9 billion, up from $3.6 billion in goods reported in 2017.

“Our consistent ranking among the top foreign trade zones in the country is the result of the Brownsville Navigation District’s commitment to enhance the port’s infrastructure to fa

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Port of Brownsville Recognizes Welding Works International with Annual Chairman’s Award

BROWNSVILLE, Texas—Tuesday, December 3, 2019— Welding Works International, Inc. has been named the Port of Brownsville 2019 Chairman’s Award honoree in recognition of the company’s 20-plus years of setting a high standard in safety training and providing ongoing contributions to the well-being of the Rio Grande Valley community.

Brownsville Navigation District Chairman John Reed presented the award to Welding Works President Alfredo de la Fuente at the Customer Appreciation Luncheon event held on December 3. The event was attended by more than 200 guests, including port tenants, business leaders and local, regional and state public officials.

“Welding Works International is a homegrown success story that is well-known for supporting a range of services to South Texas,” said Reed. “With large scale-industrial projects expected to kick-off at the port,

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NEWS RELEASE: Three New LNG Projects Moving Forward at the Port of Brownsville

BROWNSVILLE, Texas—Thursday, November 21, 2019— The Port of Brownsville is one step closer to welcoming three new LNG projects with an investment totaling $38.75 billion after the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) approved their proposals today during its monthly commission meeting.

“Today’s announcement is another significant milestone in making these energy projects a reality and is the result of years of hard work by the applicants,” said John Reed, Chairman of the Brownsville Navigation District. “We’d like to thank FERC for its effort and diligence in reviewing these proposals and thank our community for their support. These new energy projects reflect our long-term strategy and vision for the port to be a catalyst for economic growth in the Rio Grande Valley by encouraging domestic and international business investments and driving develo

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