Puerto Rico Ports Authority News

On August 11, 2022, a federal grand jury in the District of Puerto Rico returned an indictment charging seven defendants with running a criminal enterprise dedicated to extorting and misleading shipping companies into paying fees for the loading and unloading of cargo at the Port of San Juan—Piers 9, 10, and 11—under the threat of strikes and blockades on the part of union members of the ILA-1740 of the International Longshoremen’s Association, AFL-CIO (ILA) and under false representations…

Thirty-six hours after Hurricane Maria hit Puerto Rico, the port of San Juan was back up and running, scanning the incoming relief cargo as it arrived. Now, nearly a year after the historic storm, San Juan remains one of the most secure and efficient ports in the world, scanning and adjudicating cargo shipments at an unprecedented speed, with wait times similar to pausing at a stop light. It was the first and only port in the Western Hemisphere to scan near-100 percent of incoming containerized cargo (bulk, un-containerized cargo is not scanned).

Three new ship-to-shore cranes that were constructed in Ireland were delivered to Crowley Puerto Rico Services’ Isla Grande Terminal in San Juan on Wednesday. The cranes are a key element of the $130 million Crowley is investing in infrastructure improvements to its Isla Grande Terminal, and their arrival marks the first time new, specialized gantry cranes have been received for operation in the San Juan Harbor in five decades. “With the delivery of these state-of-the-art cranes…

Crowley Puerto Rico Services announced an additional $21 million construction contract for improvements and upgrades at its Isla Grande port terminal in San Juan. The contract was awarded to Del Valle Group, S.P. of Toa Baja, Puerto Rico, and includes expanding the terminal’s capacity for handling refrigerated containers; paving 15 acres to accommodate container stacking; installing a new electrical substation to provide power for three new ship-to-shore gantry cranes; constructing…

Crowley Puerto Rico Services, Inc. has broken ground on a $48.5-million construction project for a new pier at its Isla Grande Terminal in San Juan, Puerto Rico, the company announced. The project includes the development of a new 900-foot-long, 114-foot-wide concrete pier and all associated dredging needed to accommodate Crowley’s two new liquefied natural gas (LNG)-powered, Commitment Class ships, which are scheduled for delivery in 2017. Crowley’s terminal expansion also includes the installation of three new ship-to-shore container gantry cranes…

Puerto Rico, centrally located at the crossroads of the Caribbean, is the location of Maritime Security 2015 Caribbean currently underway in the busy port city of San Juan. The keynote addresses were delivered by Ingrid Colberg-Rodriguez, executive director of the Puerto Rico Ports Authority, and Capt. Michael Zamperini, deputy commander of Coast Guard Sector San Juan. Attendees included representatives from federal agencies, including Coast Guard, Customs and Border Protection, Transportation Security Agency, FBI, FEMA, Drug Enforcement Agency, and the National Joint Terrorism Task Force.

Puerto Rico Ports Authority issues RFP for Marina District. The Puerto Rico Ports Authority (PRPA), a public corporation and government instrumentality of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, has issued a request for proposal (RFP) for the leasing, design, construction, operation and financing of the rehabilitation, improvement and operation of the Isla Grande Dry Dock ("IGDD") in the City of San Juan, Puerto Rico, and the design, construction, financing, and development of a superyacht marina complex. The PRPA is seeking comprehensive proposals from highly qualified developers and operators of luxury marinas and vessel maintenance, repair and overhaul facilities.

Crowley Puerto Rico Services, Inc. announced today that it has executed a $48.5 million construction contract for a new pier at its Isla Grande Terminal in San Juan, Puerto Rico, further solidifying its commitment to the region, the company announced today. In conjunction with the investment, the company and the Puerto Rico Ports Authority (PRPA) have also concluded a 30-year lease extension for the Isla Grande property. The construction contract was awarded to L.P.C.& D. Inc.…

Winston & Strawn has won a victory before the US Court of Appeals - DC Circuit for its client the Puerto Rico Ports Authority (PRPA). The ruling on Wednesday ends three separate cases involving more than $100 million in damages and establishes that the PRPA is an Arm of the State immune from suit in federal courts under the doctrine of sovereign immunity. The victory was a collaborative effort by Winston & Strawn’s Maritime and Appellate practice groups. Larry Kiern, a partner in the Maritime Group, represented PRPA in the proceedings before the Federal Maritime Commission and the DC Circuit along with associates Bryant Gardner and Gerald Morrissey. Gene Schaerr, chair of the firm’s nationwide appellate and critical motions practice, argued the PRPA appeal.

Trailer Bridge, Inc. has been accepted as a certified member of the U.S. Customs Service's Customs-Trade Partnership Against Terrorism (C-TPAT) program. U.S. Customs Service granted the approval on October 6, 2003, following a detailed review of Trailer Bridge's Supply Chain Security Profile Questionnaire. C-TPAT is a joint initiative between government and business designed to protect the security of cargo entering the United States while improving the flow of trade. Through C-TPAT, the U.S. Customs Service is asking businesses to ensure the integrity of their security practices and communicate their security guidelines to their business partners throughout the supply chain.

Construction is progressing for the new Subchapter “K” passenger ferry vessels, M/V Isleño at Blount Boats, Inc. (BBI), Warren RI and M/V Caribeña at VT Halter Marine, Inc. (VTHMI), Pascagoula, MS. Bristol Harbor Marine Design (BHMD) is serving as a liaison for the Puerto Rico Ports Authority (PRPA), providing construction oversight for the vessels servicing the Fajardo-Vieques-Culebra Ferry Line. On July 15th, 2003, BBI signed a contract with the PRPA to construct a 155-ft. cargo/passenger ferry similar to a previous design by the yard. The construction of this vessel will be similar to the M/V Cayo Norte, built by Blount Marine in 1995. Four (4) MTU DD12V2000 engines coupled to 2.9:1 Twin Disc 5202 gears will provide 3220 BHP.

A U.S. Coast Guard port security team, assisted by DHS partner agencies Customs & Border Protection (CBP) and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), apprehended 10 stowaways from the Dominican Republic aboard the barge Sea Islander in San Juan yesterday (May 24). Crewmembers on board the barge were complying with a Coast Guard requirement to check the vessel for stowaways prior to entering U.S. waters when they found evidence that some stowaways may be on board. The Master of the vessel notified the vessels agent (a local representative who assists with logistics and scheduling) who alerted the Coast Guard Marine Safety Office in San Juan. The Sea Islander departed from Rio Haina, Dominican Republic on Thursday.

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the First Circuit has ruled that sanctions may be imposed in an admiralty case against a party that engages in abusive discovery practices. In the instant case, plaintiff’s integrated tug-barge caught fire in Guanica, Puerto Rico and was substantially destroyed. Plaintiff brought suit against the port authority and the lessee of the docking facilities. The trial court imposed sanctions against the plaintiff when it found that plaintiff had attempted to hide the identities of two divers that it hired to inspect the vessel subsequent to the casualty; attempted to hide the identity of a crewmember; installed a hidden camera and microphone on the vessel in an attempt to record conversations of defendants’ counsel during inspection of the vessel…

The Federal Maritime Commission (FMC) issued an Order directing parties in three ongoing disputes involving the Puerto Rico Ports Authority (PRPA) to file additional briefs specifically addressing whether or not PRPA is an arm of the government of the Puerto Rico and entitled to sovereign immunity for purposes of actions brought before the FMC by third parties. Source: HK Law

The Federal Maritime Commission (FMC) released the order of an Administrative Law Judge (ALJ) denying the petition of Puerto Rico Ports Authority (PRPA) for a stay pending its appeal to the US Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit. The issue involves the claim by PRPA that it is an arm of the Government of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico and, thus, entitled to sovereign immunity. The Commission ruled against PRPA on that issue. The PRPA has appealed to the federal appellate court and sought a stay of the FMC enforcement action pending a decision from the court. The ALJ has now denied the petition for a stay, but has authorized PRPA to immediately appeal that denial to the Commission. Source: HK Law

The Federal Maritime Commission (FMC) issued a notice stating that it has determined to hear oral argument in three pending proceedings involving the Puerto Rico Ports Authority (PRPA). The issue on which oral argument has been set is whether the PRPA is an arm of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico. Oral argument will be heard on October 18. Source: HK Law

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the First Circuit ruled that a letter from the holder of a maritime lien to the vessel owner that the lien holder was pursuing the dispute in a non-federal court and that it had no objection to sale of the vessel constituted a waiver of the maritime lien. In the instant case, the port authority had provided long-term berthing space to a vessel. The berthing fees were unpaid due to a dispute between the port authority and the vessel owner over the adequacy of the facilities. In order to expedite the sale and removal of the vessel, the port authority provided the vessel owner with a letter stating that it had no objection to the sale of the vessel and that the on-going dispute over berthing charges was being controverted in local court.