BROWNSVILLE, Texas— December 3, 2020— The Port of Brownsville presented Keppel AmFELS with its 2020 Chairman’s Award in recognition of the company’s important work reintroducing shipbuilding to both the state of Texas and Brownsville.

Brownsville Navigation District Chairman Sergio Tito Lopez presented the award to Mohd Sahlan Bin Salleh, president and CEO of Keppel AmFELS, on Dec. 3 during a special presentation at the Port of Brownsville. Keppel’s important work has helped build the ship building industry locally, bringing approximately 1,400 fulltime jobs to the Rio Grande Valley community.

“For decades, Keppel AmFELS has not only brought new jobs and opportunities, but their skill and expertise has attracted new contracts and opportunities to residents of the Rio Grande Valley,” said Chairman Lopez. “For example, they are nearing completion of two 774-foot-long containerships that will soon join the U.S. merchant fleet, bolstering domestic trade while serving American interests and moving American-made goods. I am privileged to recognize the outstanding work they have and will continue to do for everyone who relies on the Port of Brownsville.”

Keppel AmFELS, part of Singapore-based Keppel Offshore & Marine, has been part of Brownsville since 1990 and diversified into shipbuilding as a natural outgrowth of its decades of experience in offshore oil rig fabrication, maintenance and repair.

The Chairman’s Award is an annual award highlighting the achievements of port tenants in the areas of business growth, leadership, job creation, customer service, innovation, safety, and community involvement. The recipient of the award is traditionally announced during the port’s annual Customer Appreciation Luncheon, cancelled this year due to COVID-19.

About the Port of Brownsville

The Port of Brownsville is the only deepwater seaport directly on the U.S.-Mexico border, and the largest land-owning public port authority in the nation with 40,000 acres of land. It transships more steel into Mexico than any other U.S. port. With more than $40 billion worth of projects currently in the works, the Port of Brownsville is transforming the Rio Grande Valley by creating positive investment opportunities and new good paying jobs.