The Port of Brownsville broke ground Thursday, June 22, 2023, on the site of the future 118-acre business park located inside the port. Pictured from left to right: Brownsville Navigation District Commissioner Sergio Tito Lopez, Brownsville Navigation District Commissioner John Reed, Brownsville Navigation District Chairman Esteban Guerra, Brownsville Navigation District Secretary John Wood, and Port Director and CEO Eduardo A. Campirano, not pictured is Brownsville Navigation District Vice Chairman Ralph Cowen. | |
Built for Growing Business | Port of Brownsville Holds Groundbreaking Ceremony for 118-Acre Business Park | |
The nation’s only deepwater seaport located on the U.S.-Mexico border, the Port of Brownsville, held a groundbreaking ceremony June 22, for its latest economic development project, a 118-acre shovel-ready business park.
This new industrial project leverages the port’s logistical advantages to support manufacturing companies and industry clusters with a base of operations that combines access to efficient multimodal transportation and robust storage capabilities. This development will provide a dynamic ecosystem for companies to collaborate, innovate, and flourish.
"The business park at the Port of Brownsville is a critical component in our mission to attract new industries and businesses to the area, creating jobs, and driving economic growth," said Brownsville Navigation District Chairman Esteban Guerra. "On behalf of our Brownsville Navigation District Board of Commissioners, we are proud to lead this endeavor to provide modern infrastructure, access to transportation and logistics, and a prime location for companies looking to establish a presence along the U.S.-Mexico border."
In 2022, the Port of Brownsville moved 15.2 million tons of cargo, a remarkable amount expected to increase thanks to the growing success of port tenants and customers. According to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ most recent annual report ranking 150 maritime ports nationwide, the Port of Brownsville rose to 55th position in the country for the movement of waterborne cargo in 2021, recording 8.9 million tons of commodities transported via the port’s ship channel, representing a 30% increase from 2020’s 6.7 million tons.
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The business park will complement the Port of Brownsville’s successful efforts to support a thriving business hub, offering crucial connections for companies to gain a competitive edge, expand their market reach, improve supply chain efficiency, and contribute to sustainable and resilient operations. | |
Port of Brownsville Considered to Recycle USS Enterprise
| Editor's Note: This article was originally featured at www.myrgv.com | |
The Port of Brownsville may be the final destination for the world’s first nuclear-powered aircraft carrier, the USS Enterprise (CVN-65), deactivated by the Navy in 2012 and decommissioned in 2017.
The Navy announced June 30 that Brownsville is among three potential locations evaluated in a Final Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) where the former Enterprise might be sent for dismantling by a commercial ship recycler. The other locations are Hampton Roads, Va., and Mobile, Ala.
Brownsville's shipbreakers have scrapped several carriers and other naval vessels over the years. The most recent carrier to come here was the former USS Kitty Hawk (CV-63), a conventionally powered warship that arrived here on May 31, 2022, and is being dismantled by EMR International Shipbreaking Ltd. EMR was also awarded a Navy contract to dismantle the former USS John F. Kennedy, though it's not clear when that ship will arrive in Brownsville.
| Port Director & CEO, Eduardo A. Campirano, and Brownsville & Rio Grande International Railway President and COO, Norma Torres pose for photo at the 2023 Rail & Maritime Summit in Chicago, IL, on June 25. | |
OmniTRAX, Inc.'s Brownsville & Rio Grande International Railway President and COO, Norma Torres, was recognized as Railroad Trailblazer at the 2023 Rail & Maritime Summit in Chicago, IL, held June 25.
"This success is thanks to our incredible team at the BRG and the business that the Port of Brownsville is moving by rail," said Torres, "The BRG works hard to provide efficiencies and services to the port customers."
Formed in 1984 by the Brownsville Navigation District, the BRG provides safe and reliable service to Port of Brownsville users, operating on more than 45 miles of port rail. The shortline railroad provider offers the port and its customers access to three Class 1 railroads — Union Pacific, Burlington Northern Santa Fe and Kansas City Southern de México for access into Mexico.
Since 2014, OmniTRAX Inc., under agreement, has managed the BRG enhancing services for port rail users while aiming to attract new shippers in the manufacturing and distribution industries.
|  | In this Port Talk Port Director and CEO Eduardo A. Campirano discusses the port's latest economic development project, its 118-acre business park. | Texas Country Reporter Features USS Kitty Hawk | |
As the top ship recycling port in the United States, the Port of Brownsville proudly commemorated the arrival of the USS Kitty Hawk on May 31, 2022.
International Shipbreaking Ltd., part of the EMR Group, won the Navy bid to recycle the 60,000-ton vessel.
Recently, a Texas Country Reporter episode highlighted the USS Kitty Hawk and emphasized the significance of responsible recycling practices.
Texas Country Reporter is a weekly television program celebrating the history, emotion and beauty that make Texas and Texans so unique.
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BROWNSVILLE NAVIGATION DISTRICT COMMISSIONERS
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PORT OF BROWNSVILLE ADMINISTRATION
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July 19
BND Board Meeting
August 2
BND Board Meeting
August 4
Coast Guard Day
August 16
BND Board Meeting
September 4
Labor Day - Port offices closed
September 11
Patriot Day
| NextDecade Announces Updated FID Timing | NextDecade Corporation announced June 30 that Rio Grande LNG has received binding commitments from a syndicate of lenders in an amount sufficient, together with expected project equity funding, to support a positive final investment decision of the first three liquefaction trains at the proposed Rio Grande LNG export facility at the Port of Brownsville. | Bechtel Awards Contract for Rio Grande LNG | Editor's Note: This article was originally featured at www.jpt.spe.org | Energy technology company Baker Hughes announced July 6, that it won the contract to supply key liquefaction equipment for NextDecade’s Rio Grande liquefied natural gas project in the Port of Brownsville. |
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