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Business Agreements & Partnerships: Gulfport, Tampa, Virginia

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In Gulfport, the Mississippi State Port Authority approved a long-term lease to expand DuPont’s operations at the port’s West Pier. The Tampa Port Authority and AMPORTS recently announced a strategic partnership that will lead to the development of a new terminal to import and export automobiles. The Virginia Port Authority and the Port of Salalah (Oman) signed an MOU aimed at generating more business between the Middle East and Norfolk. 

Gulfport: Port Authority Approves Long Term, Expanded Lease with DuPont

The Mississippi State Port Authority has approved a long-term lease with DuPont that provides for an expansion of the tenant’s port operations in Gulfport.

Under the agreement, DuPont will relocate its current ore receiving and storage operation to the southern end of the West Pier, increasing capacity and operating flexibility. The lease is for a 30-year term, with three, 10-year extensions.

"The contract also calls for a 29 percent increase in their annual guaranteed minimum tonnage throughput," said Jonathan Daniels, port executive director. "This expansion will certainly support our restoration efforts and job growth at the Port of Gulfport and DuPont’s DeLisle facility."

DuPont imports ilmenite ore through the Port of Gulfport. Ilmenite is a raw material used in the manufacture of titanium dioxide, an inert, non-toxic white pigment used in paints, inks, paper, textile fibers, and plastics to impart whiteness, brightness, and opacity. From the port, the ilmenite is railed 13 miles to DuPont’s DeLisle manufacturing facility on the north shore of the Bay of St. Louis.
Construction of the new, expanded facilities on the port is expected to get underway in 2014. 

Tampa Signs Deal to Expand Auto Shipments

The Port of Tampa has a new strategic partner that will provide expertise in processing and handling new automobile shipments, adding diversity to the cargo mix moving through the Florida port. The Tampa Port Authority and AMPORTS signed a letter of intent on July 18 to develop a new terminal dedicated to the import and export of automobiles and rolling stock. Click here for a rendering of the  future Berth 202 auto yard.

Mexico’s large and growing capacity for automotive production is spurring demand for efficient and low-cost distribution to the U.S. market, where an estimated one in 10 cars sold in the U.S. is made in Mexico. AMPORTS is an international company with operations in the United States and Mexico.

In addition to imports from Mexico, AMPORTS and the Port of Tampa will serve as a gateway for U.S.-produced vehicles aimed toward Latin America and Caribbean destinations.  

"We are very excited about our partnership with AMPORTS, which is a tremendous win for the whole Tampa Bay region. Their confidence in the Tampa Port Authority’s ability to deliver is a validation of our capability and diversification strategy to bring more growth and jobs to the area from multiple lines of business. We are very fortunate to have great partners such as Ports America, CSX Railroad and now AMPORTS," said Paul Anderson, port authority CEO.

Virginia Signs MOU with Omani Port of Salalah 

The Virginia Port Authority (VPA) and the Port of Salalah on July 12 signed a memorandum of understanding establishing the groundwork for information sharing aimed at generating new business by promoting the all-water route between the growing Oman seaport and Virginia. 

The agreement will see both organizations cooperate, where possible, on marketing activities, market research, training and exchanging information on technology and modernization. 

"This signifies the beginning of a working relationship, and hopefully one that is long-term, where both parties benefit," said Russell J. Held, the VPA’s deputy executive director of development. "Our goal with this MOU is to share operational best practices, jointly market our good service connectivity, take advantage of the U.S-Oman free trade agreement and drive investment and business growth on both ends of the supply chain." 

Salalah is a major Middle Eastern transshipment center, an interchange point on the major East-West shipping lanes offering access to the Middle East, Indian sub-continent, East Africa, the Indian Ocean and more than 2.5 billion consumers. 

In 2012, 21 percent of the total cargo volume handled at the Virginia port moved through the Suez Canal. Many of the ships moving cargo along that trade route regularly take advantage of Virginia’s 50-foot-deep shipping channels because those vessels are so large that they require deep water to safely navigate. 
 

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