Palm Beach looks to increased bulk cargo

Palm Beach looks to increased bulk cargo The Port of Palm Beach, best known as the home to the extensive Caribbean island services offered by Tropical Shipping, is looking to increase its revenues in 2007 by expanding dry bulk volumes.
   Cemex USA, a Palm Beach tenant that also has extensive operations at other Florida ports, will use an unloader at its terminal. The unloader is one of four purchased by the Swedish company Van Aalst to operate at U.S. East and Gulf coast ports. The $3 million unloader should be operational by January.
   The 80-ton machine is a high-volume wheeled unloader that uses air to push the cement from a vessel's cargo bay through underground lines and into silos.
   'With the addition of our unloader and the three good-paying, sustainable jobs that are to accompany it, Cemex sees this as a win-win venture, Cemex USA terminal manager David Speigl said.
   Added port director Lori Baer: 'this is a great cooperative effort that demonstrates Cemex's long-term commitment to our port.
   . Port officials believe that with the addition of the machine, more waterborne cement from overseas markets will be brought into the U.S. through the Port of Palm Beach.