Port Dolphin Energy Vice President German Castro, center, presents a symbolic check to members of the Manatee County Port Authority Board including 2^nd Vice Chairman Dr. Gwendolyn Brown, left, MCPA Member Donna Hayes, 1^st Vice Chairman Ron Getman, Chairman Larry Bustle, MCPA Member Joe McClash, 3^rd Vice Chairman John Chappie, MCPA Member Carol Whitmore and Port Manatee Executive Director David L. McDonald PPM^®.

The Manatee County Port Authority approved a long-term $30 million agreement with Port Dolphin Energy LLC, providing Florida with a second major source of natural gas.

Port Dolphin officials estimate its project will generate more than $150 million 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.

“With the addition of Port Dolphin to our growing family of energy-related companies, Port Manatee exhibits its leadership as an incubator for local jobs and regional economic growth,” said Larry Bustle, chairman of the Manatee County Port Authority. “This agreement reinforces the port’s financial strength with a new, recurring revenue stream.”

During the first five years of the agreement, Port Manatee will receive more than $16 million in cash and assets, followed by about $15 million over the remainder of the agreement.

“The Manatee County Port Authority, along with port staff, guided this agreement to a successful conclusion and as a result the community will benefit with new jobs and the state will benefit with a new source of natural gas,” said Port Manatee Executive Director David L. McDonald PPM^®.

The port authority’s approval precedes a pending decision by the U.S. Maritime Administration to issue a deepwater port license to Port Dolphin to construct a liquefied natural gas (LNG) port 28 miles off the coast of Manatee County, Fla.

With MARAD’s deepwater port license, LNG tankers would arrive at Port Dolphin’s offshore facility and then connect to a new undersea pipeline system that would come onshore at Port Manatee. Port Dolphin’s vessels will be outfitted to regasify its cargo of LNG, returning it to a gaseous state onboard the offshore ships. The natural gas would then be fed into a submerged pipeline, ultimately serving customers throughout Florida.

“This occasion marks another important milestone in Port Dolphin’s quest to provide solutions for Florida’s growing energy demands,” according to Port Dolphin Vice President German Castro. “We look forward to becoming an important part of Manatee County’s business community.”

In addition to its offshore port facility and pipeline, Port Dolphin will also base an operations center at Port Manatee, Castro said.

According to a recent economic impact study, Port Manatee currently contributes more than $2.3 billion to the region’s economy annually and creates directly or indirectly nearly 24,000 jobs.

Florida’s first trans-Gulf of Mexico natural gas pipeline made landfall at Port Manatee in 2002.

Port Dolphin’s tankers will be outfitted to regasify its cargo of LNG, returning it to a gaseous state onboard the offshore ships.

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Opportunity Panama 1-Day Conference

Panamanian Ambassador to the United States Jaime Alemán headlines Opportunity Panama event along with U.S. Rep Vern Buchanan.

A coalition of regional business leaders will host Opportunity Panama April 19^th to motivate Florida business and community leaders about the potential for existing and future trading relationships with Panama.

More than 130 are expected to attend the Opportunity Panama one-day business conference at the Hyatt Regency Sarasota.

According to Enterprise Florida, Panama imports nearly $1.5 billion worth of goods annually from Florida. Florida ports, including Port Manatee — the closest U.S. deepwater port to the Panama Canal — expect that number to grow dramatically following the 2014 completion of the canal’s expansion. Florida is second only to Texas among U.S. states with a positive balance of trade with Panama.

His Excellency Jaime Alemán, Panamanian Ambassador to the United States, and U.S. Rep. Vern Buchanan (R-Sarasota) headline a list of presenters at the conference. Other speakers include: Carlos Urriola, Manzanillo International Terminal-Panama; Juan Guevera, Colon Free Zone Administration; Liz Reilly, U.S. Chamber of Commerce TradeRoots; Surse Pierpoint, Colon Free Zone Users Association; Franc Pigna, Agier/Drewry; Bill Ralph, R.K. Johns & Associates; Sandra Campbell, U.S. Commercial Service; Joe Mikes, Providence Logistics; David McDonald, PPM^®, Port Manatee and more.

“If you provide a service, sell or manufacture a product, or are involved in international or domestic shipping, logistics or warehousing, banking, finance or insurance, you should attend this event,” said Steve Queior, president of the Greater Sarasota Chamber of Commerce.

Conference organizers expect to translate the region’s international trade development prospects into understandable new market opportunities and business segments focusing on Panama. Executives from shippers, ports, terminals and Panama’s Colon Free Zone — the second-largest free zone in the world — explain how to sell products and services locally, regionally and throughout the Western Hemisphere and beyond via Panama.

Panama’s most recognizable industry experts and the United States’ leading export champions will explain in great detail how to benefit now and in the future. They will be joined by government agencies and international trade experts to discuss the business revolution Opportunity Panama brings into focus.

The conference is April 19^th from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Hyatt Regency Sarasota. The early bird registration fee is $75 by April 12^th, $95 at the door. Register online or contact Michelle Anderson at the Sarasota Chamber of Commerce at manderson@sarasotachamber.com or 941-556-4038.

The event is organized by the International Business Council, a two-county committee comprised of Manatee and Sarasota trade executives: the Greater Sarasota Chamber of Commerce, Manatee and Sarasota County Economic Development Councils, the Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport and Port Manatee.

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U.S. Rep. Buchanan Named Port Manatee Propeller Club Maritime Person Of The Year

The Port Manatee Propeller Club honored U.S. Rep. Vern Buchanan (R-Sarasota) with its highest honor as Maritime Person of the Year during ceremonies March 11^th at the Bradenton Yacht Club.

Buchanan was honored for his ongoing support of Port Manatee, including his pledge to assist port officials with the proposed Port Manatee Connector Road directly linking Interstate 75 to the port, which would increase containerized shipping.

A member of the Congressional Friends of Panama Caucus, Buchanan is working to ratify the U.S.-Panama Trade Promotion Agreement and he’s enhanced Port Manatee’s ties with Panama — building upon the port’s 2009 strategic alliance with the Panama Canal Authority.

In February, Buchanan hosted a port visit by the Panamanian Ambassador to the United States, Jaime Eduardo Alemán Healy. Ambassador Alemán toured the port and met with business leaders and lawmakers to discuss potential economic impacts to the region related to the Panama Canal’s expansion.

“I am honored to receive this award,” said Buchanan. “Jobs and the economy are the most important issue right now and Port Manatee is vital to our efforts to diversify the region’s economy and create good paying jobs.”

“Congressman Buchanan understands the opportunities Port Manatee represents relating to job creation and economic impact for this area,” said Port Manatee Propeller Club President Paul DeMariano. “We’re glad to have him championing for the port, both in Washington D.C. and around the world.”

Serving Florida’s 13^th District, Congressman Buchanan is in his second term in the U.S. House of Representatives. He is on the House Committee on Small Business and is the Republican Leader of the Subcommittee on Finance and Tax. He is a member of the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure and is a member of the Subcommittees on Surface Transportation, Aviation, and Railroads, Pipelines and Hazardous Materials. The congressman also serves on the House Veterans Affairs Committee and is a member of the Health Subcommittee.

Port Manatee’s Propeller Club is chartered by the International Propeller Club of the United States and is dedicated to furthering the nation’s maritime industries and the U.S. merchant marine. The local chapter is comprised of more than 100 members and is accepting new applicants. Please visit www.manateepropellerclub.com for more information.

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Container Capacity

The MV H.S. Liszt was teeming with containers recently at Port Manatee’s Berth 10 after discharging melons, bananas, plantains and pineapples at Port Manatee. The ship was at capacity with nearly 450 40-foot-equivalent-unit (FEU) containers for Fresh Del Monte Produce.

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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.