Vol. 6, No. 6, November 2021 |
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Courtesy Photo by U.S. Navy Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Kyle D. Gahlau. |
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USS Kitty Hawk (CV-63) steams along in the Pacific Ocean on June 3, 2008. The ship was returning to the United States for decommissioning after 47 years of service, 10 of which have been in Yokosuka, Japan.
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Brownsville Bound
Aircraft Carriers Headed to "Ship Recycling Capital" of the United States
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Editor's Note: This article is featured at www.myrgv.com. |
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Another pair of massive, weary warriors are set to make Brownsville their final resting place.
The Navy has chosen International Shipbreaking Ltd./EMR Brownsville to dismantle two decommissioned aircraft carriers, the USS Kitty Hawk (CVA-63) and the USS John F. Kennedy. Per ISL’s contract with the Navy, the ship-recycling company will be paid a penny each for the historic vessels and tow them to Brownsville for scrapping.
The Kitty Hawk, commissioned in 1961 at the Philadelphia Naval Yard and decommissioned in 2009, is currently mothballed at a Navy facility in Bremerton, Wash., while the JFK, commissioned in 1968 at Newport News, Va., and decommissioned in 2007, is anchored at the Philadelphia Naval Yard.
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85th Anniversary Celebration |
The Port of Brownsville’s 85th Anniversary festivities kicked off Oct. 16 with the annual Dock Dash 5K1M Run/Walk family event. In commemoration of the port's anniversary, participants received a medal and t-shirt bearing the 85th anniversary logo.
Celebrations culminated on Saturday, Oct. 23, as thousands of visitors from across the country had the opportunity to learn more about the port that works. This fun-filled day included activities for children and adults of all ages to enjoy such as live music, free food, animal exhibits, children’s play area, boat, and bus tours.
This event served as an opportunity to connect visitors with the port community and showed how the port has served as a global gateway for trade and commerce.
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Pictured in the photo from Left to Right: Eduardo A. Campirano, Port Director and CEO; Esteban Guerra, BND Board of Commissioners Secretary; John Wood, BND Commissioner; Ralph Cowen, BND Board of Commissioners Vice Chairman; Sergio Tito Lopez, BND Board of Commissioners Chairman; and John Reed, BND Commissioner. |
BND Board Recognized as Men of Vision |
In 1910, secretary of the Brownsville Chamber of Commerce, Louis Cobolini championed the ambitious plan of a deepwater port for Brownsville, Texas. He insisted upon a major port and channel facility capable of handling ships from all over the world. Today, Cobolini's vision has paid dividends as the port is now a major deepwater seaport along the U.S.-Mexico border.
During the Port of Brownsville's 85th Anniversary Reception held Oct. 21, Brownsville Navigation District Board of Commissioners Chairman Sergio Tito Lopez,
Vice Chairman Ralph Cowen, Secretary Esteban Guerra,
Commissioner John Wood and Commissioner John Reed were recognized as "Men of Vision" who have contributed to the port's mission to develop economic opportunities, provide the best transportation facilities and improve quality of life throughout the region.
Port Director and CEO Eduardo A. Campirano attributed the success of the port to the commitment of port tenants, users, employees, and partners.
Today, the Port of Brownsville is the economic engine of the region supporting more than 51,000 jobs across the state and 8,500 jobs in the Rio Grande Valley, and infusing $3 billion into Texas' economy annually.
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Record-Breaking Tracks to Success |
During the month of September, the Brownsville & Rio Grande International Railway (BRG) handled a record-breaking 6,369 loaded railcars at the Port of Brownsville.
This marks a 41 percent increase from 4,486 loaded railcars handled in September 2020. Fuel, steel, windmill blades and lumber are among the diverse cargo transported via rail. The short-line railroad, managed and operated by OmniTRAX, is expected to surpass it's 2020 record of 51,115 for the year.
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Courtesy Photo SteelCoast, LLC. |
Originally built in 1963, SS Petersburg was one in a fleet of five tankers fitted with an offshore petroleum discharge system.
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SS Petersburg Latest SteelCoast Project
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SteelCoast, LLC. on Oct. 5, announced a contract to dismantle and recycle the SS Petersburg, one of Military Sealift Command's two US Government-owned tankers and part of the 35 ships in the Prepositioning Program.
The ship has served the United States for over 50 years and participated in exercise Valiant Shield, one of the largest United States military war games held in the Pacific Ocean. The SS Petersburg will be abated, dismantled, and recycled at SteelCoast, LLC.'s yard at the Port of Brownsville.
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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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November 1
All Saints Day
November 2
All Souls Day
November 3
BND Board Meeting
November 7
Daylight Saving Time ends - Turn clocks back one hour
November 11
Propeller Club Meeting
November 11
Veterans Day – Port Offices Closed Friday, Nov. 12
November 17
BND Board Meeting
November 25
Thanksgiving Day – Port Offices closed Nov. 25-26
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Gulf Stream Earns Green Certification,
Safety Award
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LOGISTEC Stevedoring Inc., a subsidiary of LOGISTEC Corporation, was named Operator of the Year at the prestigious international Heavy Lift Awards in London, UK.
LOGISTEC’s subsidiary Gulf Stream Marine, Inc. at the Port of Brownsville also won an award in the Safety category for its exemplary commitment to develop and nurture a culture of health and safety.
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Courtesy Photo British Consulate General |
Roundtable Connects Ports Across the Pond |
Deputy Port Director of Operations Arturo Gomez and Director of Cargo Services & FTZ Administrator Tony Rodriguez joined representatives from the UK at the US-UK Freeport Roundtable at the British Consulate General in Houston on Oct. 25, to discuss trade opportunities between the US and the UK.
UK Minister for Exports and Equalities, Mike Freer, provided remarks and discussions included possible trade connections between the Port of Liverpool and the Port of Brownsville, Texas.
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