Manatee County News

Emergency responders extinguished a fire aboard a commercial crane barge near Egmont Key, Fla. Sunday.The U.S. Coast Guard, West Manatee County Fire Department, Manatee County Sheriff’s Office and commercial salvage crew responded after Coast Guard Sector St. Petersburg watchstanders were made aware of the blaze by a good Samaritan via VHF-FM Channel 16.The Coast Guard directed the launch of Coast Guard Station Cortez and Coast Guard Station St. Petersburg 45-foot Response Boat—Medium boat crews to create a safety zone around the burning vessel…

Port Manatee says it has signed an agreement to keep Del Monte fruit coming into the Florida Gulf Coast port for as many as 20 more years. Del Monte Fresh Produce N.A. Inc., which has imported fruit into the deepwater Florida seaport since 1989, is now signed to a lease extension with Port Manatee through August 30, 2021, with options for three additional extensions of five years each. If all options are exercised, Del Monte will be doing business at Port Manatee until at least 2036.

A new study report projects cargo volume through Port Manatee will more than double over the next 10 years. The 2016 Port Manatee Master Plan Update, accepted June 16 by the Manatee County Port Authority, provides a strategic vision and framework for continued diverse growth of the port of Southwest Florida for the coming decade and beyond. “We are encouraged by the positive opportunities presented in the master plan update,” said Betsy Benac, chairwoman of the Manatee County Port Authority.

Port Manatee reported a dynamic increase in trade activity, and said exports are poised to get a further boost when Air Products begins exporting liquefied natural gas heat exchangers from the port next year. Figures recently released by WorldCity Trade Numbers show the value of Port Manatee’s trade with the world totaled $257.57 million through the first four months of 2014 – up 17.15 percent over the comparable period in 2013. Exports increased by 25.68 percent, while imports rose 14.34 percent.

Naviera Master Line selects Port Manatee for new container & breakbulk service to Caribbean, Central & South American destinations. Expected to commence with a sailing from Port Manatee Mar. 8, 2013, Naviera Master Line, a division of Miami-based Master Line Shipping Company, will transport a variety of breakbulk and containerized cargo from Port Manatee to destinations in Colombia, Panama, Venezuela and Trinidad. “For the targeted business we have with Central Florida auctions, like Alex Lyon & Son, CAT, Ritchie Bros.

The Manatee County Port Authority approved a long-term $30m agreement with Port Dolphin Energy LLC, providing Fla. with a second major source of natural gas. Port Dolphin officials estimate its project will generate more than $150m in direct economic impact within Manatee County during the next 20 years. Construction of the project is expected to begin in 2012 with completion in 2013. During the first five years of the agreement, Port Manatee will receive more than $16m in cash and assets, followed by about $15m per year over the remainder of the agreement.

To help spur growth and capitalize on the Panama Canal’s expansion, the Panama Canal Authority (ACP) and Port Manatee embarked on their first-ever strategic alliance. In an official ceremony held in Panama City, Panama, ACP Administrator/CEO Alberto Alemán Zubieta and Port Manatee Executive Director David L. McDonald signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to boost joint marketing, and encourage the exchange of information and business insight. As part of the partnership, the ACP and Port Manatee may undertake a series of activities to promote both the Port and Canal including joint advertisements and competitive market analyses. The agreement demonstrates each organization’s commitment to encouraging increased trade and meeting the needs of today’s maritime and shipping industries.