Foreign Trade Zone No. 62 at the Port of Brownsville recorded an increase of 28 percent for the total value of exports in 2021. This increase amounts to the FTZ surpassing the $5-billion mark in exports for the first time. According to the U.S. Foreign-Trade Zones Board’s 2021 report to Congress on Aug. 29, FTZ No. 62 ranks second in the country with $5.2 billion in exported goods in 2021.…
Weslaco’s Mid Valley International Industrial Park is the recipient of a $1.5-million federal grant to expand opportunities for commercial, cold storage and warehousing businesses. The industrial park has seen significant growth in recent years, especially with companies involved in cold storage and shipment of produce from Mexico, as well as other agricultural commodities like cotton. The federal grant to Weslaco comes from the U.S. Commerce Department’s Economic Development Administration. The…
The Gulf Stream Marine terminal at the Port of Brownsville has been recognized by LOGISTEC Stevedoring with its Mitchell Daudier Health and Safety Award for 2021. The recipients of this award receives the recognition for their demonstration of leadership, continuous improvement and advocacy of health and safety in the workplace. Gulf Stream Marine is one of three stevedoring companies at the Port of Brownsville. It includes a team of more than…
The Brownsville Navigation District and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers signed a joint agreement on July 6 for Phase 2 of the Brazos Island Harbor Channel Improvement Project. The agreement advances the project’s timeline to begin work on deepening the ship channel from 42 feet to 52 feet. This will result in significant navigational safety improvements for commercial shipping in South Texas. The BIH project will further increase the…
Brownsville Navigation District Commissioner Esteban Guerra was unanimously appointed to serve as chairman of the BND Board of Commissioners during the board’s recent regular meeting. Guerra serves as chairman alongside BND Vice Chairman Ralph Cowen and BND Secretary of the Board John Wood, also unanimously appointed to serve as part of the executive board. Commissioners John Reed and Sergio Tito Lopez round out the board as assistant secretaries. Wood, Commissioner…
Recycler EMR Group recently announced the completion of the first European Union ship recycled in the United States by International Shipbreaking Ltd. The project follows a $30-million investment in new equipment and processes at ISL’s site at the Port of Brownsville to meet the requirements of the EU Ship Recycling Regulation. The MT Wolverine is a 158-meter-long chemical tanker with a carrying capacity of 16,000 tons. Prior to her decommissioning, she…
A new state designation for a Keppel AmFELS capital investment project at the Port of Brownsville is estimated to result in a $27.6-million net benefit (after-tax abatement) for the city. With the Texas Enterprise Zone project designation, Keppel AmFELS will be able to retain 500 jobs in Brownsville, ultimately impacting economic development within the region. The Texas Enterprise Zone project designation comes with the recent approval of the Governor’s Office…
Texas Governor Greg Abbott recently highlighted the Port of Brownsville as a key component of Texas’ booming energy industry and as a critical asset to the Lone Star State’s economic success. The news came during an economic roundtable discussion with industry leaders and key stakeholders at the port March 30. “Ports are the gateway to the might of the Texas economy and the Port of Brownsville is vital infrastructure for…
The Port of Brownsville remains a stronghold for the Rio Grande Valley’s economy, providing record-setting tonnage and robust operating revenues for FY 2021. Brownsville Navigation District Board Chairman Sergio Tito Lopez highlighted these achievements at the 2022 State of the Port Address last week at the Rancho Viejo Convention Center. The unaudited operating revenues for FY 2021 surpassed the $30-million mark for the second consecutive year at $34 million. Cargo…
The Port of Brownsville recently presented Schaefer Stevedoring with its 2021 Chairman’s Award. The recognition honors Schaefer Stevedoring’s achievements throughout its 30 years of operation. The presentation took place during the annual Customer Appreciation Luncheon Dec. 14 at the Rancho Viejo Convention Center in Rancho Viejo. Presenting the award to Ken Schaefer, president and owner of Schaefer Stevedoring, was Brownsville Navigation District Chairman Sergio Tito Lopez. Schaefer Stevedoring, an international…