We will email you 1 time per day at 4am with our current articles! Cancel your subscription at any time.

By Wes Wolfe FloridaPolitics.com April 22, 2022

Nassau Terminals CEO Chris Ragucci explained to the Fernandina’s Port’s Ocean Highway and Port Authority (OHPA) recently that their ships did not come in, so to speak, but they’re on the way.

“The tonnage is off this month versus the last two months, and we had a classic case of what I explained before of ships running behind schedule,” Ragucci said at the last OHPA meeting in Yulee. “We had two paper ship loaders that were supposed to be in, in March. They both got delayed by stevedores in other ports.

“We had one of them already in the first week of April. So, we had no paper-loading ships in March. We have three pulp ships in April — one of them was supposed to make it in March. They fell behind schedule then because of delays at other ports. So, scheduling is becoming more and more erratic, but … basically four ships that didn’t show up in March are already going to be here in May.”

Once the ships come in, he said the Port’s tonnage numbers will look better.

“It’s just the ebbs and flows of the schedules,” Ragucci said.

The freight’s there, it just that needs someone to take it. Meanwhile, the Port is increasing its warehouse space with a metal-framed, fabric structure. The fabric is supposed to be, according to the specifications, 22-ounce, flame-retardant PVC vinyl with a polyester scrim.

“We’ve sent some language to (OHPA attorney) Patrick (Krechowski) with some language to advertise for the bid,” Ragucci said. “He’s in final review.”

Krechowski marked up the document and sent it back to Ragucci with edits and questions, he said. He added that he’d make the final changes to the language after the meeting and send it back around for final approval.

“I do think the board needs to vote on it before it goes out,” Krechowski said.

Ragucci suggested the bid shouldn’t be out for long, as there are only a handful of companies that could provide that type of building.

“Ten days,” OHPA Chairman Danny Fullwood said. “We’ve delayed this thing long enough that we need to get that warehouse done. Ten days — you get it out there, within 10 days, someone’s going to bid on it.”

Suanne Z. Thamm is a native of Chautauqua County, NY, who moved to Fernandina Beach from Alexandria,VA, in 1994. As a long time city resident and city watcher, she provides interesting insight into the many issues that impact our city. We are grateful for Suanne’s many contributions to the Fernandina Observer.

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Suanne Z. Thamm is a native of Chautauqua County, NY, who moved to Fernandina Beach from Alexandria,VA, in 1994. As a long time city resident and city watcher, she provides interesting insight into the many issues that impact our city. We are grateful for Suanne’s many contributions to the Fernandina Observer.

Website Design by Revel Design, Ft Lauderdale Florida

Serving Amelia Island, Fernandina Beach, Jacksonville and beyond. Sign up for our daily news delivered straight to email.

Full Post Archives Advertise with us About The Fernandina Observer Meet the authors Contact information