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Facilities & Infrastructure: Florida, Georgia, Toledo

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Gov. Rick Scott on October 16 announced a commitment of nearly $35 million for strategic port projects across Florida that will be recommended to the state Legislature during its upcoming session. All four of the super post-Panamax ship-to-shore cranes that were delivered this summer to the Port of Savannah are now fully operational at Georgia Ports Authority’s Garden City Terminal. The Toledo-Lucas County Port Authority, Midwest Terminals of Toledo and Finance Fund joined area officials on October 21 for a groundbreaking ceremony for a warehouse at Ironville Terminal.

Florida Governor Commits $35 Million for Port Projects

Gov. Rick Scott on October 16 announced a commitment of nearly $35 million for strategic port projects across Florida that will be recommended to the state Legislature during its upcoming session. The additional investments will be included in the Florida Department of Transportation’s Work Program. Gov. Scott made the announcement at the AAPA in Orlando.

Included in the governor’s proposal for additional funding are:
  • Port Canaveral – $9.7 million for development of a container yard.
  • Port Everglades – $14.7 million to support the Turning Notch project.
  • Port of Tampa – $10.4 million to improve its container yard.
Since 2011, the state has allocated $642 million for port projects, including waterside projects for Canaveral, Miami and Jacksonville and terminal and rail improvements at Tampa.

Last month (Advisory, September 30, 2013), Gov. Scott and his cabinet approved the proposed bond issuance of $150 million to fund 16 important projects at Florida seaports. During the current fiscal year, the state of Florida is funding more than $275 million directly on seaport projects, including projects funded through the forthcoming bond issuance.

"We’re on the right track to growing more jobs for families with increased investments in our seaports," Gov. Scott told the AAPA audience. "With this nearly $35 million commitment for critical port projects, we’ll enhance our ports’ ability to move more goods, which will position Florida to play an even greater role in global trade. Our strategy to make Florida the gateway for global trade is working."


Florida Gov. Rick Scott addresses the 2013 AAPA Annual Convention.
Photo/Canaveral Port Authority

Georgia: Super Post-Panamax Cranes Start Work at Port of Savannah 

All four of the super post-Panamax ship-to-shore cranes that were delivered this summer to the Port of Savannah are now fully operational at Georgia Ports Authority’s Garden City Terminal. 

After their arrival on June 5, the cranes were offloaded and crews began raising the booms and the electrical and machinery housings roughly 100 feet to their proper position. Additional on-site work included elevator installation and final wiring connections. 

Assembling GPA’s super post-Panamax cranes at Garden City Container Terminal.
Photo/Georgia Ports Authority

The first of the new cranes went into service in August, with additional cranes coming online every few weeks thereafter. The fourth began moving cargo on October 23.

Each new crane can lift up to 65 tons and can work the vessels of 9,000 TEU capacity or greater the GPA is expecting at its facilities following the opening in 2015 of the expanded Panama Canal.

"The four additional ship-to-shore cranes increase our fleet to 27, including nine post-Panamax and 16 super post-Panamax cranes," said Chief Operating Officer Griff Lynch. "Operating more than 9,700 feet of contiguous berth space, the new equipment will mean even faster turn times for the vessels calling on Savannah – generating both time and cost savings for port customers." 

The new cranes working Maersk Line’s Nedlloyd Hudson at the Port of Savannah.
Photo/Georgia Ports Authority

Toledo: Ironville Terminal Redevelopment Near Completion; Third and Final Phase of Construction Underway

The Toledo-Lucas County Port Authority, Midwest Terminals of Toledo and Finance Fund joined area officials on October 21 for a groundbreaking ceremony for a warehouse at Ironville Terminal. This ceremony commemorates the third and final phase of construction on the 180-acre site, making it ready for business this winter. The project cost approximately $18 million and, according to the port authority, will provide up to 100,000 man hours of skilled construction labor for the community when completed.

"The redevelopment of this land will provide new space for unloading ships and new lay down areas for cargo, which will allow the Port of Toledo to continue as a leader on the Great Lakes," said Paul Toth, the port authority’s president and CEO. "Without the help of local, state and federal agencies who believed in this project and administered the programs to help with its financing, the redevelopment of this riverfront site would have not been possible."

The port authority utilized a combination of state financing mechanisms, along with new market tax credits, to complete the multi-phased project. Finance Fund, a company that helps connect underserved communities with public and private sources of capital, provided $15.5 million in new market tax credits for the project, which made it possible to complete all three phases in a short time. 

The first phase entailed the installation of approximately 15,000 linear feet of rail, which connect with the nearby Norfolk Southern rail line. Phase two included improvements to the river channel and shoreline to prepare a deep water marine dock to accommodate barges, Laker ships, and ocean vessels. Approximately 65,000 cubic yards of sediment have been dredged to provide access to the dock face, and 520 feet of the existing dock face has been improved. 

Phase three includes the installation of a multi-modal delivery system. Once completed, the newly installed conveyor and material transfer system will create efficiencies through rapid freight unloading, and is capable of handling any dry bulk material. Self unloading ships will discharge into a 65 cubic yard hopper, which will feed the conveying system. The conveyor terminates with a mechanized radial stacking system.

Phase three also consists of the construction of a 19,000 square foot warehouse, which has a clear height of 39 feet and will contain two rail spurs and an overhead crane. The warehouse will allow Midwest Terminals to accommodate virtually any type of business. An additional 5,000 feet of rail for loading operations was also installed during phase three.

The port authority purchased Ironville Terminal, formerly known as the Chevron property, in 2008 for $3.4 million. It subsequently formed a public-private partnership with Midwest Terminals of Toledo through a long term lease for the property. 
 

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