Adding a second mobile harbor container crane like Port Manatee’s Gottwald HMK 6407 will increase the port’s container-handling capacity and open the door for new containerized services.

The Manatee County Port Authority approved the purchase of Port Manatee’s second mobile harbor container crane at a meeting February 18^th.

The addition of the second crane bolsters Port Manatee’s container-handling capacity and opens the door for new containerized services.

“Securing this second crane is essential for Port Manatee as we prepare for increased shipping traffic expected from the expansion of the Panama Canal,” said Port Manatee Executive Director David L. McDonald PPM^®. “When you couple this with the port’s proximity to the canal, the 2010 completion of our new Berth 12 and adjacent container terminal, and the significant incentives offered through the Port Manatee Encouragement Zone, we believe we have the right situation to attract major shipping lines.”

The crane purchase is the result of a public private partnership between the MCPA, the Florida Department of Transportation and Logistec USA Inc., the same company that partnered with the port for its first crane purchase in late-2007.

FDOT’s role in the acquisition amounts to providing a grant for approximately half of the estimated $4 million purchase cost. Logistec will essentially contribute an equal share, with the crane being titled to the MCPA.

Operations, maintenance and insurance for the crane become the responsibility of Logistec for the term of the agreement.

A lease/mortgage arrangement between Logistec and the port authority guarantees Port Manatee a positive cash flow during the 15-year life of the partnership.

Port Manatee anticipates delivery and operational certification of the crane by Oct. 1, 2010.

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Port Manatee Seeks Dredging Bids
To Complete $200 Million Expansion

In preparation for Berth 12 dredging, Port Manatee has already accomplished maintenance dredging, the construction of permanent features related to hydraulic dredging and dry mining within the base-bid footprint. The base bid is 760,000 cubic yards of material and 370,000 in the bid alternate.

The Manatee County Port Authority announced at its Feb. 18^th meeting its intent to seek bids for a major dredging project at Port Manatee.

Dredging of the port’s new Berth 12 will provide a navigational depth of 41 feet at mean-low-water with an additional foot of draft for ships utilizing the south channel area of Port Manatee. The nearly 1,600-foot-long berth is designed to accommodate containerized shipping and is expected to be operational by late-2010.

“This opens the door for Port Manatee’s future in containerized shipping,” said David L. McDonald PPM^®, the port’s executive director. “This signals confirmation of the final construction of Berth 12 and says, We’re open for business!’”

Berth 12 completes a $200 million port expansion project started in 1999.

The base bid for the project includes excavation and hydraulic dredging of nearly 760,000 cubic yards of material and removal to a certified uplands spoil disposal site.

A bid alternate calls for dredging and removal of an additional 370,000 cubic yards of material.

The port authority will receive sealed bids until Mar. 22^nd at 2 p.m. For more information, please see the request for proposal on the port’s website at www.portmanatee.com/requests.aspx.


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Top 5 Reasons You Need To See
Port Manatee’s 2010 Official Directory

Port Manatee’s 2010 Official Directory is now available, both in print and online. And, this year’s book is packed with new features and the useful information you’ve come to expect from this award-winning publication. With a circulation of 10,000, this book is part of the Manatee County Port Authority’s commitment to provide quality service to tenants, customers, port users and the public it serves.

Top 5 reasons You Need To See Port Manatee’s 2010 Official Directory

1. Site Selection Solutions — special section highlighting incentives and initiatives offered through the Port Manatee Encouragement Zone and the Port Manatee Improvement District

2. Page 9

3. The Panama Canal — popular feature with updated photographs and information about the canal’s ongoing expansion

4. Premier Partners — updated information about customer successes and new port partners

5. Blue Pages — updated business directory and list of valued advertisers

Thank you for your interest in Port Manatee and please visit the port’s web site, for the most up-to-date information on everything from port facts and photographs to meeting notices, RFPs and the tariff.

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Remembering the Blackthorn

Wreaths adorned the Blackthorn Memorial during a service in St. Petersburg to commemorate the 30th anniversary of the sinking of the Coast Guard Cutter Blackthorn.  Twenty-three guardsman died Jan. 28^th, 1980 during a collision between the Blackthorn and the tanker Capricorn in the Tampa Bay shipping channel.

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Cold Front!

As a cold front moved in during the height of winter 2010, Logistec USA Inc. longshoremen carefully positioned the Flamingo Daze into the water at Berth 12 for its maiden voyage. The new yacht was built by Port Manatee next-door neighbor, SeaForce IX, Inc.

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What Do You Think?

Port Manatee recently launched its newly redesigned website www.portmanatee.com and distributed its first Deepwater E-newsletter. The new tools provide comprehensive port information and timely port developments. If you haven't already done so, please visit the redesigned website and let port officials know what you think.

If you know someone who may be interested in learning more about Port Manatee, click Forward email at the bottom of this page to send the latest Deepwater issue to their inbox. Those interested may sign up for the newsletter by visiting the port's website and clicking on Sign Up For E-Newsletter on the right side of the home page.