Marine industry warns port access curtailed after CBP change; commissioners say they will pursue federal help

Representatives of the Marine Industries Association of the Treasure Coast and other local mariners told the St. Lucie County commission on Oct. 7 that a Customs and Border Protection (CBP) policy change is constraining seaport operations at Fort Pierce.

Boaters and marine-repair businesses said CBP's regional office (West Palm Beach) now requires sea cargo to clear first in Palm Beach or Cape Canaveral, rather than being processed directly at Fort Pierce. Jack McCully, a local marine-industry advocate and reefs proponent, told commissioners the change "could very severely, negatively impact the economic activity in our seaport" because temporary imports and equipment movements will be administratively constrained by the requirement to clear elsewhere.

Commissioner Townsend said she had already raised the matter with U.S. Rep. Brian Mast and that she and the congressman's office were working on a solution to restore Fort Pierce as a port of entry for international movements. County staff said they would collect contact information and coordinate county outreach to federal officials.

Why it matters: Requiring cargo to clear in another port adds cost and time to marine businesses and could reduce Fort Pierce's competitiveness for marine construction, reef projects and commercial service calls. Local officials said the county will seek a federal remedy to reestablish direct CBP processing at Fort Pierce or otherwise streamline clearance for small commercial and transient marine operations.

Ending: County staff will gather details and work with Commissioner Townsend's office and Rep. Mast's staff on next steps. Marine-industry stakeholders asked the county to join an appeal to CBP and to support steps that would restore local clearing authority or accept alternative processing arrangements.