Port RePort - Port of · PDF filePort RePort Mississippi’s Largest Port ... Jackson County and the State have ... Cliff Porter, Signet Maritime

Mississippi’s Largest PortPort RePort

August 2012

A Note from the Director Mark McAndrews


August 2012


Port Facts...The June 2011 “Port Strategic Development Plan” cited wood pellets as a potential new market opportunity for the Port of Pascagoula. The Port has been transporting Mississippi forest products to international markets for decades. With the partnership of Green Circle Bio Energy, Inc., port officials view future wood pellet exports to be a valuable expansion of this trade.

Inside This Issue:GPAA delegation signs Memorandum of Understanding with PMAC 2

Mississippi Farm Bureau Federation Tour 2

Port Legislation passed during 2013 Session 3

Senate Ports Committee visits Port 3

Wood Pellet facility to locate in George County 3

Port of Pascagoula Night 2013 4-5

President named Hero of Hope by American Cancer Society 6

Cargo 6

Port Employees Recognized 7

Builder’s Plates on Display at Port AuthorityAdministration Building 8

Our partnerships with industry and the federal government have been a recurring theme of many columns and presentations over the last dozen or so years. I would like to take this opportunity to talk about another important partner – the State of Mississippi, who has also given strong support in the development and operation of our port facilities and channels. Through these partnerships, Jackson County and the State have reaped tremendous economic benefits over the last 60 years.

Although we are not a state agency, strong support from Jackson for our efforts began with the issuance of state bonds in 1958 for construction of port and harbor facilities. This support continues through today, with another bond issue to partner in the construction of a wood pellet facility detailed elsewhere in this issue. In 1998, the state legislature approved $20 million in state bonds to pay the local share of deepening the Bayou Casotte channel to 42 feet, construction of the Bayou Casotte Dredged Material Management Site, and the closure of the Greenwood Island Disposal site. The Greenwood Island Disposal site is now the location of Signal International’s Bayou Casotte facility.

Support from the Mississippi Department of Transportation’s Intermodal Connector Improvement Program and the Multi-modal fund have augmented our own funds to upgrade the public terminals to ensure they remain Mississippi’s gateways to world markets. We have partnered with the Mississippi Development Authority (MDA) to

assist the county in making Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funded improvements to many of our industry partners’ facilities. MDA also spends a lot of effort promoting all Mississippi’s ports. We are partners with the Secretary of State’s office in the operations of Singing River Island and the Mississippi Office of Homeland Security has assumed the role of fiduciary agent for the Port Security Grant Program when required.

We are extremely grateful to Governor Bryant and Lt. Governor Reeves, the Mississippi State Legislature and other state agencies who provide support as we continue “moving cargo, creating jobs, and attracting major industries.”

August 2013

Jackson County Port Authority

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3033 Pascagoula St. • P.O. Box 70Pascagoula, MS 39567

Phone: 228-762-4041 • Fax: 228-762-7476

E-mail: [email protected]

We’re on the web!www.portofpascagoula.com

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Memorandum of Understanding SignedBetween the Gulf Ports Association of the Americas (GPAA) And The Port Management Association of the Caribbean (PMAC)

Delegates from the Gulf Ports Association of the Americas attended a meeting of the Port Management Association of the Caribbean in June. During the meeting a Memorandum of Understanding was signed between the GPAA and the PMAC with the goal of facilitating international trade and new business by undertaking joint initiatives to increase trade between the two regions.

Port Director, Mark McAndrews, serves as Chairman of the Gulf Ports Association of the Americas. He and Lenius Lendor, Chairman of the Port Management Association of the Caribbean, signed the agreement.

The GPAA will have a meeting in November at which time the entire corporate membership will be briefed on the meeting and further discuss ideas for partnering with the ports in the Caribbean.

The Gulf Ports Association of the Americas is a trade organization whose members include a variety of port authorities located on the Gulf Coast of the United States and of Mexico. The GPAA member ports are dedicated to enhancing economic development and encouraging commerce.

Approximately 35 staff members of the Mississippi Farm Bureau Federation recently paid a visit to the Port of Pascagoula. The federation is headquartered in Jackson, Mississippi, under the leadership of Randy Knight, President.

“The Voice of Mississippi Agriculture,” Mississippi Farm Bureau Federation is the largest general farm organization in the state. Poultry is the state’s number one agricultural commodity and timber is number two. The Port of Pascagoula is the gateway to many foreign markets for Mississippi poultry and forest products which include lumber, poles, plywood and various paper products. In the past, members of the federation have visited the port to learn more about the process and logistics of exporting agricultural products produced in Mississippi. President Knight wanted to extend this educational opportunity to members of the staff.

Delegates from PMAC and GPAA look on as GPAA Chairman Mark McAndrews signs agreementChairman Lenius Lendor of PMAC and Chairman Mark McAndrews of GPAA, shake hands after signing MOU

Keith McCready, General Manager of Gulf Coast Cold Storage, explains the process for receiving, storage, and loading frozen products.

Staff of Farm Bureau Federation tour Gulf Coast Cold Storage

Mississippi Farm Bureau Federation


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Phone: 228-762-4041 • Fax: 228-762-7476




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Phone: 228-762-4041 • Fax: 228-762-7476



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Wood Pellet Plant to locate in George County, Mississippi

Green Circle Bio Energy, Inc. will build a wood pellet facility in the George County Industrial Park near Lucedale, Mississippi. The $115 million state of the art plant will produce 500,000 metric tons of pellets a year. The plant is expected to be operational by spring 2015.

A vital partner in the project development is the Port of Pascagoula which will provide the gateway to markets for the product. The port is approximately 45 miles south of the 120 acre plant site. Final details for financing and design of the marine terminal in the Port’s Bayou Casotte Harbor are in progress. Estimated cost to construct the terminal and associated infrastructure is $25 - $30 million. The State of Mississippi will provide $10 million, the terminal operator will contribute approximately $5 million and the Port will be responsible for the remainder of the cost of the terminal development.

Mississippi LegislationSenate Bill 2781 signed by Governor Phil Bryant on March 11, 2013 Limits and regulates the liability of certain vessel pilots.

This statute puts Mississippi in the same position as other states in what has become the maritime industry standard. Neighboring states in the Gulf (Texas, Louisiana and Alabama) have also passed similar legislation.

Senate Bill 2913 signed by Governor Phil Bryant on April 25, 2013 Provides $10 million in state funding to the Jackson County Port Authority to assist in upgrading facilities at the Port of Pascagoula. The funds will be used to contribute to the development of a marine terminal and associated infrastructure for the export of wood pellets.

L to R : Senator Michael Watson, Captain Fred Lundy, Representative Charles Busby, Captain Walter Gautier and Senator Brice Wiggins look on while Governor Phil Bryant signs SB 2781

Senate Committee visits PortMembers of the Senate Ports and Marine Resources Committee toured the port’s two harbors aboard Signet Maritime’s M/V Signet

Reliance. Senator Brice Wiggins of Pascagoula is Chairman of the committee and Senator Josh Harkins of Flowood is Vice-Chairman. The tour provided an opportunity for state legislators to view activities at the public and private marine terminals as well as the shipbuilding activities in the port.

Senators Wiggins, Harkins, John Polk, Tommy Gollott and Michael Watson attended as well as Representative Larry Byrd of the Mississippi House of Representatives.

L to R: Senator Brice Wiggins; Captain Sutera, Signet Maritime; Senator Tommy Gollott; Senator John Polk; Senator Josh Harkins

L to R: Senator Wiggins; Scott Wagner, Signet Maritime; Port Director Mark McAndrews; Captain Daryl Langley, Pascagoula Bar Pilots; Senator Gollott

L to R: Representative Larry Byrd; Allen Moeller, Deputy Port Director; Cliff Porter, Signet Maritime; Captain Fred Lundy, Pascagoula Bar Pilots; Senator Brice Wiggins

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Port of Pascagoula Night

U.S. Congressman Gregg Harper and Port Director Mark McAndrews

Port Commissioner Wallace Easley; Port Attorney, John Hunter; Jackson County Port Authority; Representative John Read

Cynthia and Rick Zubic, VT Halter Marine; Jerry St. Pe’ and George Freeland, Jackson County Economic Development Foundation

Senator Tony Smith; Jackson County Supervisor Troy Ross; Port Commissioner Greg Williams U. S. Senator Roger Wicker speaks to guests

Senator Michael Watson; Harry Schmidt, Jackson County Economic Development Foundation

Jackson County Administrator, Brian Fulton; Senator Brice Wiggins

The Port of Pascagoula and the maritime community hosted the 14th annual Port of Pascagoula Night for the Mississippi Legislature and state officials in Jackson during the 2013 legislative session.

Special guests were welcomed by the local maritime sponsors and port representatives.

The Old Capitol Inn was the setting for the event which provides an opportunity to showcase the impact that the Port has on the entire state of Mississippi. In addition to the many state officials in attendance, the

Port and the maritime industry sponsors were honored to have U.S. Senator Roger Wicker and U.S. Congressman Gregg Harper among the special guests.

Click here to view more images from Port of Pacagoula Night 2013

https://picasaweb.google.com/113707575265965496079/2013MayNewsletterPortNight?authkey=Gv1sRgCMy-4sD41vvdfw&feat=email


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Phone: 228-762-4041 • Fax: 228-762-7476



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Local maritime industries which sponsored the event:

Anchor QEA, LLC

Angola LNG Supply Services, LLC

Arrow Terminals, Inc.

Chevron Pascagoula Refinery

Chevron Shipping Company

Coastal Cargo Company

Compton Engineering, Inc.

CSA Equipment Company, LLC

First Chemical Corporation

Gulf Coast Cold Storage

Gulf LNG Energy, LLC

Ingalls Shipbuilding

Jackson County Economic Development Foundation

Martin Energy Services, LLC

Mississippi Phosphates Corporation

Mississippi Power Company

Pascagoula Bar Pilots Association

Signal International, LLC

Signet Maritime Corporation

Singing River Electric Power Association

VT Halter Marine, Inc.

Allen Moeller, Port Staff; John McCutchen, Gulf LNG Energy; Morten Neraas, Green Circle

Representative Manly Barton and Jackson County Supervisor Barry Cumbest

Morten Neraas, Green Circle; Wilson Montjoy of Butler, Snow, Omara, Stevens, & Cannada; Secretary of State Delbert Hosemann

Port Director Mark McAndrews addressing the guestsCliff and Tracy Porter, Signet Maritime

Representative Charles Busby; Commissioner Jimmy Colmer, Jackson County Port Authority

Commissioner Ronnie Robinson, Jackson County Port Authority; Senator David Jordan

Mississippi’s Largest Port Port RePort

August 2012


2013


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Phone: 228-762-4041 • Fax: 228-762-7476



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Hero of HopeCharles Persons, President of the Jackson County Port

Authority Board of Commissioners, has been named a Hero of Hope by the Mid-South Division of the American Cancer Society. Charles has been diagnosed with cancer three times in nine years and has been a faithful volunteer for Relay for Life since 2005. He and his wife, Kathy, along with their three daughters, are very active in the East Central Relay which one year netted almost $200,000 for the American Cancer Society.

Charles has a strong faith and an exceptional attitude. As a Hero of Hope, he is called upon to speak at events in the region telling his inspiring story and encouraging others.

6,880 tons of steel billets were loaded on the M/V Tinamou Arrow at Terminal G in the Bayou Casotte harbor. The billets, which were manufactured in Mississippi, are en route to Guayaquil, Ecuador.


August 2012


2,500 tons of pipe were received from Greece in June. The pipe was transported to Mississippi Power Company’s Kemper County plant which is under construction.

The pipe was unloaded from the M/V Cielo Di Venezia at Terminal F in the Bayou Casotte Harbor


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Phone: 228-762-4041 • Fax: 228-762-7476



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Phone: 228-762-4041 • Fax: 228-762-7476



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August 2012


PORT EMPLOYEES RECOGNIZEDPresident of the Board, Charles M. Persons, presents service plaques to employees:

The Jackson County Port Authority manages the operations of the Jackson County Industrial Water System which provides water to the industries in the county.

Jessie Tanner, Jr. recently retired from the Bayou Casotte Industrial Water Treatment Plant following 41 years with the Port Authority. Mr. Tanner was serving as the Superintendent at the Treatment Plant in Kreole at the time of his retirement.

Randy Joplin was recently recognized for 15 years of service. He is the Manager of Safety/Harbormaster. Randy resides in Pascagoula with his wife Karen. They have a son, Hunter.

Ronnie Mills was recognized for 25 years of service at the Bayou Casotte Industrial Water Treatment Plant where he is an Operator. Ronnie resides in Vancleave with his wife Brandy, and daughters, Molly, Margo, and Juliet.

John Hunter was recently recognized for 20 years of service as Attorney for the Jackson County Port Authority. John is a partner with the firm Cumbest, Cumbest, Hunter & McCormick, P.A. He resides in Gautier with his wife, Judy.

Jack Grubbs was recognized for 30 years of service at the Bayou Casotte Industrial Water Treatment Plant. Mr. Grubbs is an Operator at the water plant. He resides in Pascagoula.

Mike Smith was recently recognized for 15 years of service with the Port. He is the Port Engineer and Manager of Utilities. He resides in Ocean Springs with his wife Rebecca. They have two sons, Forrest and Austin.

Stephen Ladnier was recognized for 10 years of service. Stephen is a

facilities worker at the port terminals. He resides in Pascagoula with his wife Susan and their son, Hunter.

Rafael Quesada, Director of Trade Development, was recently recognized for 10 years of service. Rafael is based in the port’s Miami Office. He resides in Miami with his wife Graciella and three children, Agustina, Nicolas, and Gabriela.


August 2012


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Builder’s Plates on Display at Port Authority Administration Building – on loan from the Maritime Administration (MARAD) Artifact Collection.

MARAD has loaned the original builder’s plates for the S/S African Meteor and the S/S African Comet to the Port Authority. The ships were built by Ingalls Shipbuilding Corporation in 1962 for Farrell Lines, Inc., a steamship company that was headquartered in New York, and operated principally in the U.S. East Coast-Africa trade. Ingalls Shipbuilding is located in the Port’s Pascagoula River Harbor.

After serving Farrell Lines in commercial trade, both vessels were acquired by the government under the terms of the Ship Exchange Program of the Merchant Marine Act of 1936. The vessels were renamed the Cape Alexander and the Cape Alava, respectively, and placed into defense sealift service with the Ready Reserve Force.

The 50 year old vessels are currently homeported in James River, Virginia. They are part of the National Defense Reserve Fleet inventory in the custody of MARAD. The S/S Cape Alexander is in line for disposal. The S/S Cape Alava is reserved as a training platform for one or more federal agencies.

There were six total vessels of this African Comet class (breakbulk freighters) built at Ingalls for Farrell Lines in the early 1960’s. Ingalls also built four container class vessels for Farrell Lines in the early 1970’s.

Ingalls Shipbuilding in Pascagoula was founded in 1938. Through the years the shipyard has been the largest private employer in the state of Mississippi and has provided opportunities for multiple generations of shipbuilders for 75 years.

The mission of the Jackson County Port Authority is to acquire, develop and manage assets as necessary to build a world-class, multi-use industrial port; and to encourage and support industry and private investment in Jackson County.Jackson County

Port Authority

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Phone: 228-762-4041 • Fax: 228-762-7476



3033 Pascagoula St. · P.O. Box 70Pascagoula, MS 39567

Phone: 228-762-4041 · Fax: 228-762-7476E-mail: [email protected]



Congratulations Chevron Pascagoula Refinery for 50 Successful Years!

Progress Through Partnership Since 1963

Documents

Port RePort - Port of · PDF filePort RePort Mississippi’s Largest Port ... Jackson County and the State have ... Cliff Porter, Signet Maritime