By Anne Cosgrove From the September/October 2022 Issue
In southeast Florida, Port Canaveral’s Foreign Trade Zone #136 (FTZ) has expanded with Melbourne Orlando International Airport (MLB) added as a FTZ Operator for the receipt, storage, and distribution of jet fuel for international flights operating from the airport. Deliveries of jet fuel to MLB, solely intended for use on international flights is anticipated will average two to three truckloads per week.
“Our Foreign Trade Zone is a growing resource for area companies to build on their business now and into the future,” said Port CEO Capt. John Murray. “This FTZ operating agreement with the airport helps support business development and job creation, contributing to the overall economic success of the Central Florida region.”
Port Canaveral’s Foreign Trade Zone #136 was established in 1987. (Photo: Canaveral Port Authority)
Melbourne Orlando International Airport joins a growing list of Port Canaveral FTZ #136 operators including Seaport Canaveral Corp., LLC, Airbus OneWeb Satellites, American Cruise Aid Logistics, and Raider Outboards.
“The expansion of FTZ #136 is a significant development for MLB, enabling us to streamline our operations in support of our growing international air service offerings,” said Melbourne Orlando International Airport Spokesperson Keely Leggett. “Moreover, the FTZ is a valuable economic tool that we can offer to attract and retain world-class tenants here at the airport.”
Meanwhile, British airline TUI Airways, which recently began transatlantic flight service to MLB originating from various cities throughout the United Kingdom, is projecting to fly in 135,000 tourists annually with its weekly service. Additionally, TUI’s British cruise line Marella Cruises expects to debut sailings from Port Canaveral in summer 2023, offering cruises to New York, New Orleans, Charleston, SC, Key West, and the Caribbean, increasing the number of foreign travelers to the Space Coast region.
Established in 1987, Port Canaveral’s Foreign Trade Zone #136 offers advantages to businesses dealing in international trade, such as free-trade cost discounts, duty-free storage and jet fuel for international flights.
Further down the East coast in Fort Pierce, FL, Chemical Technologies Holding Corporation’s (ChemTech) has opened its flagship facility, a lumber treatment plant to showcase the company’s TechWood product. Production at the facility was slated to begin August. This first phase is an 8,000 square feet facility that has been third-party qualified and certified to produce and apply ChemTech’s protective, environmentally friendly treatments to soft wood lumber, plywood, and engineered wood. Expansion plans are underway for another 2,000 square feet of operations and additional jobs.
“Using patented, proven chemistry, decades of expertise, and state-of-the art technology, ChemTech has created an innovative treatment process that stabilizes and protects wood products from mold, rot, termites and fire,” said ChemTech President Tom Comery. “Our Fort Pierce facility was created to model the TechWood application process for structural building component manufacturers, sawmills, and lumber dealers as we build a network of applicators.”
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