Quantum of Solace docked at Berth One Palm Beach

Shore Power connection now available to
Berth One Palm Beach's customers

Mega yacht owners visiting the Port of Palm Beach can now switch off their engines and connect to shore power while docked at the port.

“Shore power is the project to bring electric power from one of our main substations into the berth so it can be used by the ship at berths,” said Port Engineer Ron Coddington.

The $1 million project was funded 50/50 by a Florida Department of Transportation grant.

“There are three power pedestals that bring 400 amps of 480 volt power to the dock to be used by ships,” Coddington said.

The shore power hookups allow port tenant Berth One Palm Beach to optimize berth space. The new service not only benefits Berth One Palm Beach’s customers, but it also benefits port neighbors. Shore power eliminates the noise of generators and cuts engine emissions.

“What it does for our vessels here is we know that from EPA studies, when shore power is used versus on board generators that are diesel powered, we can reduce emissions up to 98% by using our power company power instead of generators or engines on the dock. It’s good for our environment, it’s good for our port and it’s good for the vessels that call here,” Coddington said.

Watch Video

Update on Port Tariff

Proposed Tariff No. 23A is scheduled to be reviewed by the Board of Commissioners on Thursday, March 18 during the Regular Board of Commissioners meeting. Given the effects of COVID-19, the Port took into consideration commercial business, hence the 1% increase across the board. The proposed tariff includes an addition of a self-parking overnight section under parking and to clarifies a few items.

If approved by the board, the tariff will go into effect May 1, 2021.

CEMEX USA recommissioning cement terminal

Building materials company and port tenant CEMEX USA recently announced it is making improvements to its cement terminal at the Port of Palm Beach as part of the process to recommission the operation later this year and further strengthen its supply chain to service its Florida customers.

CEMEX’s Port of Palm Beach Terminal, which has been inactive for more than 13 years, is currently in its first phase of improvements as part of CEMEX’s overall global growth initiative. The terminal is expected to resume operations this summer, providing a critical addition to CEMEX’s strong Florida network and a cement delivery hub for customers across the state.

CEMEX leases approximately 111,000 square feet of Port owned land for the terminal located west of slip 3 in the port. Silos at the site are designed to hold bulk cement. In preparation of the recommissioning, CEMEX welcomed a shipment of imported product via ship on February 26.

“The resumption of the CEMEX terminal provides the Port with positive economic growth. We expect to see an increase in vessel calls and cargo tonnage once CEMEX’s operation is back in full swing,” said Port of Palm Beach Board Chairman Joseph Anderson.

“Florida continues to grow, and with our network inside the state and globally, CEMEX is well-positioned to support that growth,” said Executive Vice President—Logistics Matt Wild. “We are excited to resume operations at a well-located facility that will enhance our supply chain and benefit our customers by providing an additional option for their cement needs.”

The recent shipment exemplifies Port tenant collaboration with Host Agency being the ship agent. Future shipments are expected to assist the Port and CEMEX to further build ties with the community by providing future employment opportunities.

CEMEX is the largest supplier of building materials in the state of Florida offering products including cement, aggregates, ready-mix concrete and concrete block. The company’s Florida network includes three cement plants and more than 10 strategically located cement terminals throughout the state to service customers.

Two Port tenants see growth in tonnage

As of January 2021, Teeters Agency & Stevedoring and Port Contractors have seen an increase in cargo tonnage this fiscal year.

Teeters Agency Stevedoring:

YTD: 16,311 short tons Prior YTD: 7,219 short tons 77 % increase

YTD: 2,621 vehicles Prior YTD: 1,456 vehicles 57% increase

Port Contractors:

YTD: 10,539 short tons Prior YTD: 6,286 short tons 50% increase

Monthly financials and cargo tonnage reports

The monthly financials and cargo tonnage reports for the month of January are now available on our website.

Read reports

Business Opportunities

Below are two current business opportunities available with the Port of Palm Beach District.

1. RFQ for security upgrades and hardening of CBP & DHS facilities

2. ITB for pest control services

View bid documents here

Project Easter

The Port of Palm Beach has partnered with one of its vendors, All Star Plumbing and Drain Cleaning, to collect Easter Baskets for kids with cancer. The donations will benefit the Kids Cancer Foundation in Royal Palm Beach.

We understand times are tough right now, but we hope we can help give these children and their siblings a special Easter.

So far, three Port Commissioners, Vice Chair Blair Ciklin, Wayne Richards and Katherine Waldron have donated a total of $700 through the Port's Community Grants Program. The non-profit will be receiving the check in the upcoming weeks.

So far, we've received donations from Port employees, Walpole Inc. and U.S. Customs and Border Protection.

To view a complete list of items you can donate, click here.

DROP-OFF SITE: ONE EAST 11TH STREET SUITE 600, RIVIERA BEACH, FL 33404.

YOU CAN EMAIL YAREMI FARINAS TO SET UP A PICK UP TIME.

Easter baskets and toy trucks donated by Walpole Inc.

CBP Chief of Staff Deirdre Leigh and Port's PIO Yaremi Farinas

CBP Chief of Staff Deirdre Leigh and Port PIO Yaremi Farinas pictured with donated Easter baskets.

March Port Employee Work Anniversaries

Congratulations to Port Comptroller Daniel Kirchman for 11 years of service.

Kirchman has held the same position since he began his career at the Port. He says he's enjoyed working at the Port because he appreciates the industry and all it entails. As comptroller, Kirchman oversees the daily operations of the accounting department including budgets, monthly financial statements and works closely with auditors.

Thank you Danny for your commitment to the Port.

Food drive outside Port's cruise terminal

Relocation of weekly
drive-through food

distributions

Hospitality Helping Hand's weekly food drive is now located outside the Port's cruise terminal at One East 11th Street, Riviera Beach, FL.

Attendees are asked to enter the Port through 11th St and then make the first right to the car staging area.

Visitors will then be escorted to the food distribution area once the event starts at 2PM.

The no-contact food distribution events provide families with nutritional groceries, baby products and pet food.

Watch video of Feb. 27 food distribution

Map of food drive location at One East 11th St. Riviera Beach, FL

COVID-19 Update

You can stay-up to date on how the Port is handling the COVID-19 pandemic, by visiting our COVID-19 alert page on our website.

Upcoming Commission Meetings

You're invited to attend our Board of Commissioners meetings.

March 18 (Hybrid)
April 15
May 20

The public is welcome to join the hybrid meetings in-person in our Cruise Terminal located on the 2nd Floor of the Maritime Office Complex at One East 11th St Riviera Beach, FL. Face masks are mandatory.

In addition, the public is also welcome to join virtually via Zoom or by telephone. Meeting links will be posted on the Port's website a week before the meeting.

View agendas and minutes