Port RePort - Port of Pascagoula
Transcription
Port RePort - Port of Pascagoula
Port RePort Mississippi’s Largest Port December 2008 A Note from the Director… Mark McAndrews Inside This Issue: Maritime Service Industries Gearing up for Progress New Personnel Employee Awards Singing River Island Jackson County Port Authority Board of Commissioners 2 3 3 4 5 Port Facts... The Port of Pascagoula ranks 16th in the United States ports for foreign cargo volume. Approximately 150 state, local and county seaport agencies, navigation districts and port authorities make up the public sector port industry today. For every $1 billion in exports shipped through seaports, 15,000 U.S. jobs are created Hurricanes Gustav and Ike, in addition to producing our thoughts and prayers for our Louisiana and Texas colleagues, generated a period of frenzied activity in re-opening our channels following the storms. Outstanding cooperation and coordination among the Corps of Engineers, Coast Guard, Pilots, tugs, and terminals kept vessels moving while navigation aids were replaced and severe shoaling addressed. The main ship channel, from the sea buoy into the Bayou Casotte Harbor, has been fully restored to authorized project depth. Work is still in progress on the Pascagoula River Channel which is currently restricted to 32 feet. Activity throughout the port continues to increase, with private industry investing billions of dollars in shoreline improvements. Refinery expansions at Chevron and the $1+ billion Gulf LNG Terminal under construction will increase vessel traffic. We are working with our users, service industries, and governmental partners to determine the future improvements necessary to ensure continued safe, efficient vessel movement through our channels and harbors. Cargo through the public facilities is up 27% year-to-date from last year, with increases in frozen foods, forest products, and components associated with local construction projects. Our facilities modernization program is continuing with B-Terminal next, followed by South Terminal and E and F Terminal as we continue to position ourselves for future growth. Groundbreaking for Gulf LNG Energy, LLC Gulf LNG Energy recently held a groundbreaking ceremony for its $1.1 billion liquefied natural gas import terminal in the Port of Pascagoula. Senators Cochran and Wicker, Congressman Gene Taylor and Governor Haley Barbour were present for the event. Construction on the site began in February 2008. Land has been cleared, an access road built, and dredging for the berthing areas and channel access is complete. Pilings are currently being driven for the two storage tanks and the wharf area. The project is on schedule for the terminal to be operational in 2011 and is creating hundreds of construction jobs. When complete, the facility will generate 50 to 60 full-time jobs with approximately 150 LNG vessels calling the port. Shipments of liquefied natural gas will arrive at the import terminal in specially designed and constructed double-hulled vessels. The degasification process for this terminal will be the more costly and environmentally friendly “closed loop” system. Groundbreaking photo on page 2... Pilings for LNG Storage Tanks 2 Officials Break Ground for Gulf LNG Energy, LLC Governor Barbour, Senators Cochran, Wicker and Congressman Taylor join Port Director Mark McAndrews and Gulf LNG Energy, LLC Officials in the groundbreaking event. Port Service Companies Gearing Up for Progress Colle Towing Company, Inc. Meet Captain Darryl Langley Pascagoula Bar Pilots Photo credit: Brian Gauvin Colle Towing Company, Inc. is proud to add the tugboat JOHN COLLE to their fleet making a total of 6 ship docking tugs working in the Port of Pascagoula. The JOHN COLLE, named for the president of the company, was built locally by the Colle Shipyard crews and put into service in December 2007. The vessel is 98 feet long and 36 feet wide with 6,000 horsepower driven by Caterpillar 3516B Engines and Rolls Royce Z-Drives. The new tugboat meets Fifi 1 Fire Fighting Certification with water pumping capacity of 11,600 gpm at 180 psi. and foam generating capability. President of the company John Colle said he “is extremely happy with the performance of the tug and very proud of the work the shipyard crews did on the construction.” The Pascagoula Bar Pilots are always looking ahead to provide continuous navigational safety within the Port of Pascagoula. Captain Darryl Langley joined the association last year beginning his pilot apprenticeship in the Port of Pascagoula. Captain Langley began his career with Colle Towing Company seventeen years ago and went through the ranks to acquire his Master on Harbor Tugs certification. Darryl lives in Ocean Springs with his wife and two daughters. He joins the other bar pilots, Captains Baker, Gautier, Lundy, Mosso, Robertson, and Torjusen. 3 95 Years of Service... Left to right: Ronnie Mills of Vancleave,20 years; Bud Broome of Wade, 25 years; Jack Grubbs of Pascagoula, 25 years; and Colby Taylor of Orange Grove, 25 years. The Port Authority recently honored four employees for their many years of dedicated service. All four are employed at the Bayou Casotte Industrial Water Treatment Plant which is managed by the Jackson County Port Authority. Water from the Pascagoula River travels 15 miles from the intake station at Cumbest Bluff to the plant in Kreole where it is treated and released to industries in Bayou Casotte. Industries using the treated water include – Chevron Pascagoula Refinery, Mississippi Phosphates, First Chemical Corporation, BP Amoco, Rolls Royce, and Gulf LNG Energy, LLC. The facility operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week. WauKeita Chestang-Graves WauKeita Chestang-Graves has joined the port authority staff as an Administrative Assistant. WauKeita serves as the receptionist, directs incoming calls, handles the task database, mail distribution and supports all areas of administration. A native of Moss Point, Mississippi, WauKeita resides in Jackson County with her three children – Kenneth, Korbin, and Kered who are students at Resurrection Catholic School. Through the years, WauKeita has been very active in the school Parent Teacher Organization and has served on the RCS School Board. She also volunteers for the American Red Cross, participates in the Jackson County Heart Walk, and local cleanup campaigns. Pat Nix Receives 20 Year Plaque Patrick O. Nix recently received his 20 year plaque from Jackson County Port Authority President Charles Persons. Patrick is a resident of Pascagoula and works in Facilities Maintenance. His many skills in engineering, carpentry, electrical and plumbing are a major asset for repair and maintenance of buildings, equipment and utility systems throughout the port. Patrick is also well known in the community for his many years as a soccer referee. At Left: Commissioner Persons giving Pat Nix his 20 year plaque. 4 Congratulations 2008 Jackson County Leadership Class The Jackson County Leadership Class of 2008 visited the Port Authority for their final session prior to graduation. Approximately 25 members of the class were in attendance for the port and economic development programs. Mark McAndrews, Port Director, greeted the guests. Betty Ann White, Mgr. of Government Affairs and Public Relations, gave a presentation on the roles, history, economic impact and current posture of the Port Authority. Natalia Diaz, Senior Project Manager for the Jackson County Economic Development Foundation, gave an update on recent development projects in the county. SINGING RIVER ISLAND Jackson County Port Authority Port Of Pascagoula 3033 Pascagoula St. P.O. Box 70 Pascagoula, MS 39567 Phone: 228-762-4041 Fax: 228-762-7476 E-mail: [email protected] We’re on the web! www.portofpascagoula.com New life for former Naval Station Pascagoula Naval Station Pascagoula, located on Singing River Island, was a victim of the 2005 round of base closures ordered by the federal Base Realignment and Closure Commission (BRAC) ruling. Following many months of teamwork (between the Mississippi Secretary of State, the Local Redevelopment Authority [LRA], the Port Authority and the Navy), the 500+ acre island with 75 buildings was officially returned to the State of Mississippi on June 1, 2007. Since that time, the island has become an administrative complex for over 200 employees of the Ship Systems sector of Northrop Grumman Corporation (NGC). With their Pascagoula shipyard located directly north of the island, NGC occupies over half of the office buildings available on the island. The U.S Coast Guard Station Pascagoula was a tenant prior to the base closure and they have chosen to remain on the island, as well as Keesler Federal Credit Union and Mississippi Security Police. Additionally, while rebuilding their Pascagoula office complex, NOAA has located three (3) modular offices on the island for their seafood inspection laboratory. Meanwhile, the Jackson County Economic Development Foundation (JCEDF) is actively involved in marketing the remaining buildings and property on the island for lease in accordance with the guidelines provided by the State. According to George Freeland, JCEDF Executive Director, “we will continue to partner with the Port Authority to market the remaining assets as we are committed to fully maximizing the economic development diversification and impact of the entire property.” 5 2008 – 2012 Jackson County Port Authority BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS The Jackson County Port Authority Board of Commissioners is a nine- member board comprised of appointees by the Jackson County Board of Supervisors and the Governor of the State of Mississippi. Each of the county’s five supervisors assigns a representative to serve on the Jackson County Port Authority Board of Commissioners for a four- year term. The Governor also appoints four members to the board. Charles M. Persons James M. Colmer, Jr. Warren Gautier President Secretary A graduate of the University of Southern Mississippi, Mr. Persons serves as President of the Mississippi Gulf Coast Foreign Trade Zone; is a member of the Mississippi Association of Life Underwriters; former member of the Jackson County Economic Development Foundation; and past President of PassPoint Life Underwriters Association. He was appointed by District 1 Supervisor Manly Barton and has served on the board since 1992. A graduate of the University of Mississippi, Mr. Colmer is a partner with the law firm Heidelberg, Steinberger, Colmer and Burrow, P.A. He has served as President, Vice-President and Director of the Pascagoula Rotary Club, Director of the United Way of Jackson County and is a graduate of Leadership Mississippi. This is Mr. Colmer’s fourth term on the Jackson County Port Authority. He was appointed by Governor Haley Barbour. A graduate of the University of Southern Mississippi, Mr. Gautier is a native of Jackson County and a selfemployed businessman. He is active in the American Shrimp Association and has served previously on the Jackson County Airport Authority and the Jackson County Economic Development Foundation. Mr. Gautier was appointed by District 3 Supervisor Michael Mangum and is serving his fourth term on the board. J.R. “Jim” Hoskins Ronald Robinson Wallace Easley Vice-President Mr. Easley is a selfemployed businessman and is serving his third term on the board. He is Chairman of the Budget and Finance Committee of Emmanuel Baptist Church, Development Director for the Community Care Network, and is a former board member of the Homes of Grace. Mr. Easley was appointed by Governor Haley Barbour. Mr. Robinson is President and business agent for the International Longshoremen Association (ILA), Local 1752 and 1967. He is also Vice-President of ILA South Atlantic and Gulf Coast District and serves as a Commissioner on the board of Mississippi Regional Housing Authority #VIII. Mr. Robinson represents Supervisor Tommy Brodnax of District 4 and is serving his third term on the board. A graduate of Louisiana State University, Mr. Hoskins worked for Chevron USA for thirty-three years and retired from the Chevron Pascagoula Refinery as Financial Manager. He is a past President of the East Central Civic Association and a former Vice-Chairman of the Homes of Grace. Mr. Hoskins was appointed by Governor Haley Barbour and has served four times previously on the board. Continued on Page 6... 6 2008 – 2012 Jackson County Port Authority BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS William “Benny” Lassitter A graduate of the University of Southern Mississippi, Mr. Lassitter retired from Ingalls Shipbuilding as Vice-President of Operations. He serves as President of the Moss Point Rotary Club and is a member of the Jackson County Home Builder’s Association, the Jackson County Chamber of Commerce and the East Gulf Coast Board of Realtors. Mr. Lassitter is serving his second term on the board and was appointed by Governor Haley Barbour. Carolyn Moore Mrs. Moore is the Chief Professional Officer of the United Way for Jackson and George Counties and is retired from the Jackson County Port Authority following twentyeight years of service. Mrs. Moore attended the University of Southern Mississippi and Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College. She is serving her first term on the board and was appointed by District 2 Supervisor Melton Harris. Gregory L. Williams A graduate of the University of Mississippi, Mr. Williams is a Mississippi Real Estate Broker with many years in property management and development. He is active in the national, state and local Associations of Realtors, Mississippi Rural Water Association, Ocean Springs and Jackson County Chambers of Commerce and the Mississippi Gulf Coast Golf Association. He is serving his first term on the board following his appointment by District 5 Supervisor John McKay. John L. Hunter Attorney for the Board Mr. Hunter is a partner with Cumbest, Cumbest, Hunter & McCormick, P.A. He is a former Assistant District Attorney for Jackson County, a member of the Mississippi Bar, the American Bar Association, Mississippi Association for Justice, the American Association for Justice, and the American Board of Trial Advocates. Mr. Hunter has served as attorney for the Port Authority since 1992. Cargo Volumes Increase in 2008 Cargo through the Port of Pascagoula public docks continues to increase in 2008. Third quarter tonnage figures for 2008, compared to the same period for 2007, are up 27%. Forest and paper products (lumber, plywood, poles, linerboard) have increased 11% while frozen poultry exports are up 28%. Inbound shipments of construction aggregate this year have also influenced the rise in numbers. The aggregate is being used for infrastructure development on the Gulf LNG Energy terminal property. Latin America and the Dominican Republic continue to be major markets for forest and paper products while the Baltic Region receives the lion’s share of frozen cargo exports. Mississippi’s Largest Port Caribbean Forest Carriers loading lumber for the Dominican Republic.