With favorable approval from the Chief of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and inclusion in the first draft of the House legislation, widening and deepening of Port Canaveral harbor will begin this fall. The Port of Everett Commission voted at its September 10 meeting to accept the Mukilteo Tank Farm from the U.S. Air Force. Port Manatee and The Pasha Group are partnering to develop and market a full-service, multipurpose roll-on/roll-off terminal near the entrance to Tampa Bay.

Canaveral Harbor Project Moves Forward

Canaveral Harbor was included in the first draft of the U.S. House Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) based upon its completed and fully approved Section 203 study. Port Canaveral officials will continue to work with leaders in Washington as the bill is debated and eventually approved to assure this project secures its authorization. Upon House approval, WRDA will be conference with Senate’s version, passed last May, to work out any differences.

With favorable approval from the Chief of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and inclusion in the first draft of the House legislation, widening and deepening of Port Canaveral harbor will begin this fall. Completion of Phase 1 is expected in late 2014.

Port Canaveral's channel will be widened by 100 feet and deepened an average of 2.0 feet along the length of the harbor to accommodate larger vessels. With the growth of Port Canaveral's cruise and cargo operations, the improvements will improve navigational and safety margins.

"Already a thriving and growing cruise port, we are rapidly expanding to become one of Florida's major container ports," said Port CEO John E. Walsh. "Widening and deepening of the port's harbor is one of the best investments for our state. We already have begun early efforts to continue deepening to eventually get to 50- to 55-feet deep."

Canaveral channel improvement costs a total of $57 million to date, with the port authority paying $19.4 million and Florida Department of Transportation paying $37.6 million. As part of overall cargo services expansion, Port Canaveral is constructing two new cargo berths and has purchased two new post-Panamax ship-to-shore cranes.

Everett Port Commissioners Accept Tank Farm Transfer from the U.S. Air Force

The Port of Everett Commission voted at its September 10 meeting to accept the Mukilteo Tank Farm from the U.S. Air Force. 

The port has been working with the city of Mukilteo, city of Everett, Washington State Ferries, Sound Transit and Community Transit for decades to secure the approximately 20-acre tank farm for transportation and community access purposes. 

Following the action, the port commission amended the Comprehensive Scheme of Harbor Improvements to include the new parcel of land. The last step before the property is in local control is the final signature from the Secretary of the Air Force. 

The port is in negotiations with Washington State Ferries, Sound Transit and the city of Mukilteo to subsequently transfer the land to enable the envisioned multi-modal facility. That includes the relocation of the Mukilteo Ferry Terminal to the tank farm property, which is expected to open in 2018-2019. 

Public access will be a top port priority once the property transfer is complete. In the 2014 capital improvement project budget, the port will construct the road on the east side of the property. 

Celebrating the Everett Port Commission’s acceptance of the Mukilteo Tank Farm Transfer are, from left, Mukilteo Mayor Joe Marine, Port of Everett Chief Administrative Officer Les Reardanz, Washington State Ferries Nicole McIntosh, former Port Commissioner Don Hopkins, Commissioner Glen Bachman, former Port Commissioner Connie Niva, Commissioners Tom Stiger and Troy McClelland, Chief of Engineering and Planning John Klekotka, and Port of Everett Executive Director John Mohr.  
Photo/Port of Everett

Port Manatee, Pasha Partner to serve Mexico/Florida Auto Trade

Port Manatee and The Pasha Group are partnering to develop and market a full-service, multipurpose roll-on/roll-off terminal near the entrance to Tampa Bay.

"We see Port Manatee as strategic in our portfolio of key locations for the continued growth of our corporation for the long term," said John H. Pasha, senior vice president for California-based Pasha Automotive Services, as company and port officials signed a September 19 memorandum of understanding. 

The company noted Port Manatee’s proximity to vehicle manufacturing areas of Mexico served by the ports of Veracruz and Altamira. Veracruz alone accounts for more than 70 percent of the autos imported and exported via the ports of Mexico.

The initial agreement calls for joint marketing of a 172,500-square-foot vehicle processing facility and development of a terminal of at least 30 contiguous acres, expandable to as many as 100 acres. The site is to be served by an expanded Berth 12, which is 1,584 feet long, with 40-foot draft.

"Our vision is to continue beyond our current 67 years in the business and add Port Manatee as a state-of-the industry quality component in the supply chain for finished vehicles, project cargos and rolling stock," Mr. Pasha added. "Port Manatee offers a strategic Gulf Coast location for ocean access, facilities and distribution for both import and export automobiles."

Based upon Pasha’s experience with operations at other ports, Port Manatee is anticipating substantial economic impacts. Pasha’s automotive terminal operation in San Diego, for example, currently employs more than 300 associates and is an important generator of port revenue.

"We are delighted to see this latest diversification of Port Manatee’s capabilities, consistent with our long-term strategic plan, in a manner that supports well-paying jobs for our county," said Carol Whitmore, chairman of the Manatee County Port Authority. "Port Manatee looks forward to a long and fruitful partnership that provides benefits for the port, The Pasha Group, the automotive and shipping industries, Manatee County and beyond."