More than 60 representatives from various trade schools, universities, workforce development and economic development organizations met at the Workforce Summit held May 23, at the Port of Brownsville.
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Rio Grande Valley Prepares for Job Influx
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Companies investing in the Rio Grande Valley anticipate high demand for workers that may exceed 9,000 jobs, according to seven large employers attending a Workforce Summit held April 23, at the Port of Brownsville.
Initial demand will be driven by three proposed liquefied natural gas (LNG) plants. The companies are set to receive their Federal Energy Regulatory Commission permits and commence construction within the next three years. During the construction phase these companies estimate a need for more than 6,000 workers alone.
Two current companies at the Port of Brownsville along with two other potential tenants listed the need for an additional 3,000 workers in several full-time and temporary positions.
"It’s a fantastic opportunity for our workforce. The jobs are going to be plentiful, they’re going to pay well, but we need to educate and train our current workforce to take those jobs that are going to become available," said Pat Hobbs, Executive Director of Workforce Solutions Cameron County.
To create a general picture of the labor force needs and training required, representatives from Rio Grande LNG, Annova LNG, Texas LNG, Andalusian Energy, Big River Steel, Keppel Amfels and International Shipbreaking, Ltd. met with local trade schools, universities, and economic development corporations to outline job categories, timelines, numbers, skills and certifications needed.
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Representatives from Rio Grande LNG, Annova LNG, Texas LNG, Keppel Amfels, International Shipbreaking Ltd., Andalusian Energy, and Big River Steel met in private with Texas Workforce Commission Chair Ruth Hughes to discuss workforce needs and grant training opportunities offered by the state.
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NextDecade Signs EPC Contract wih Bechtel
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NextDecade Corporation announced
May 28 the signing of two contracts with Bechtel Oil, Gas and Chemicals for the engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) of NextDecade’s Rio Grande LNG proposed project at the Port of Brownsville.
The EPC contracts are for the first phase of the Rio Grande LNG project, which consists of three liquefaction trains, two 180,000 cubic meter storage tanks and two marine berths totaling $9.565 billion. Each liquefaction train is expected to have capacity up to 5.87 million tons per annum of LNG, which would generate an EPC cost of approximately $543 per ton for the first three trains.
"Bechtel’s extensive experience developing LNG projects on the U.S. Gulf Coast, along with our advantaged site and technology choices, is expected to enable NextDecade – in just the first three trains – to have the lowest cost per ton greenfield LNG project built on the U.S. Gulf Coast under a fully wrapped lump-sum turnkey EPC contract," said Matt Schatzman, NextDecade’s President and Chief Executive Officer.
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The expansion is phase two of a plan to transform Texan Cement’s entire operation from a big bag operation- transportation of cement in bags that resemble grocery store bags, to a bulk and cement terminal.
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Texan Cement
Invests in Success
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Texan Cement plans to expand its storage capability of 14,000 short tons of cement to 40,000 to fit growing volume demand in the Rio Grande Valley.
The expansion is phase two of a plan to transform Texan Cement’s entire operation from a big bag operation- transportation of cement in bags that resemble grocery store bags, to a bulk and cement terminal. The capital investment for the project is $10 million of which the company has spent $1.5 million.
"The Rio Grande Valley has grown and the demand for cement, specifically our cement and our price point that we have, is growing so much that we’re constantly having to extend our hours so that we can meet demand," said J. C. Echeverria, CFO and Operations Officer of American Cement Advisors, Texan Cement’s parent company.
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Photo Courtesy of Bluewing Midstream LLC
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Bluewing Moves Forward
with Expansion Project
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Bluewing Midstream LLC is expanding its liquid storage capacity at the Port of Brownsville to support growing customer demand.
The liquid bulk terminal and logistics operator began construction of its Phase II expansion project in May with the intention to commence operations in late 2019.
Upon completion, the project will add 300,000 barrels of new liquids storage capacity capable of handling gasoline, diesel, jet fuel and other petroleum products. Phase II, when combined with Bluewing’s existing assets in the Port of Brownsville, will provide existing and potential customers approximately 1.1 million barrels of storage capacity serving South Texas and exports to Mexico and other international markets.
"We are very excited to break ground on our Phase II expansion project and continue to build upon our existing operations," said Bluewing CEO Todd Reid. "Phase II will allow us to advance our strategic organic development vision while continuing to provide flexible and efficient terminal and logistics solutions to our customers."
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Photo Courtesy of Kansas City Southern de Mexico
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Kansas City Southern de Mexico Announces Change in Leadership
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Kansas City Southern (KCSM) announced May 10 the reorganization of its leadership over the Chemical & Petroleum and Industrial & Consumer commodity groups.
Ginger Adamiak was appointed vice president energy and chemical products, adding chemical and petroleum in the U.S. and Mexico to her responsibilities. She is based in Kansas City, Mo.
Also, Yesica Gloria Marrufo was promoted from assistant vice president sales for metals, industrial, forest products, chemicals and petroleum to vice president sales and marketing for industrial and consumer products in the U.S. and Mexico. She is based in Monterrey, Mexico. The sales and marketing of these commodity groups were previously led by David Eaton, who was recently appointed vice president operations for Kansas City Southern de Mexico, S.A. de C.V. (KCSM).
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Brownsville in the Running for Scrapping
Nuclear-Powered Carrier
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Brownsville is one of four cities where the Department of the Navy will hold public meetings about the environmental impact of scrapping the world’s first nuclear-powered aircraft carrier.
The Department of the Navy plans to prepare an environmental impact statement to evaluate potential environmental impacts associated with the disposal of the decommissioned and defueled U.S.S. Enterprise (CVN 65), according to a source familiar with the plans.
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Volunteers needed for Boca Chica Cleanup
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Organizers are seeking volunteers for a major cleanup of Boca Chica Beach between the State Highway 4 access to the mouth of the Rio Grande.
In conjunction with World Oceans Day on June 8, the cleanup is being led by the nonprofit RGV Fishing Area and Waterway Cleanups, which has previously staged events at Gayman’s Bridge on State Highway 48 and the Las Pedritas area in San Benito.
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BROWNSVILLE NAVIGATION DISTRICT COMMISSIONERS
Chairman
Vice-Chairman
Secretary
Commissioner
Commissioner
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PORT OF BROWNSVILLE ADMINISTRATION
Port Director & CEO
Contact Us:
Ph:
956.831.4592 / 800.378.5395
Fax:
956.831.5006
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June 1
2019 Atlantic Hurricane Season Begins
June 4
STCAR Annual Commercial Summit
June 5
BND Board Meeting
June 14
COMCE Annual Assembly- Monterrey
Flag Day
June 16
Father's Day
June 17-19
AMM Steel Success Strategies- New York
June 19
BND Board Meeting
Juneteenth
June 20
Invest Texas Forum 2019- Guadalajara
June 21
First Day of Summer
June 25
International Day of the Seafarer
June 27-28
Expo Carga and Logistic Conference-Mexico
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The port’s Police Department also hosted a peace officer memorial ceremony May 16.
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BND Commission Commemorates Peace Officers
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The Brownsville Navigation District honored the dedicated work and sacrifice of Port PD officers and all other peace officers around the nation during National Peace Officers Week held May 13-17.
To commemorate the honorable work and sacrifice of peace officers everywhere, the BND Board of Commissioners passed a proclamation designating May 15 as Peace Officers’ Memorial Day and the week in which the date falls as National Peace Officers Week in the Port of Brownsville.
The port’s Police Department also hosted a peace officer memorial ceremony May 16. The officers received badges to commemorate the event and gear bags with the traditional blue line that denotes service.
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Tenants Invited
to Join Lessee Committee
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Port of Brownsville tenants are invited to attend a meeting to discuss plans to form a new lessee committee. The meeting will be Tuesday, June 18 at 10 a.m. in Conference Room A at the Port of Brownsville Administration office.
The committee’s main objective is to act as a liaison between lessees and the Brownsville Navigation District regarding topics and matters related to the tenants’ daily operations at the port.
For questions or additional information regarding the lessee committee contact Richard Ocanas at (956) 535-1502.
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BND Ready for
2019 Hurricane Season
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The Port of Brownsville is prepared for hurricane season.
During hurricane season, June 1 through Nov. 30, the Port of Brownsville operates under the U.S. Coast Guard’s Port Hurricane Condition IV, with all emergency equipment inspected and personnel prepared for severe weather events.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration predicts the 2019 Atlantic hurricane season will be "near-normal" with 9 to 15 named storms, of which 4 to 8 could become hurricanes. NOAA provides these ranges with a 70 percent confidence.
Two to four of the hurricanes predicted for 2019 could be a category 3 or higher. A category 3 hurricane involves winds from 111 to 130 mph that cause significant damage to property, humans and animals, and can cause extensive inland flooding.
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