Broward County Commission Regular Meeting
Director's Name: Joseph Morris
Department: Port Everglades Division: Business Development
Information
Requested Action
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MOTION TO ADOPT Resolution directing the County Administrator to publish Notice of Public Hearing to be held on March 3, 2026, at 10:00 a.m., in Room 422 of Governmental Center East, to consider the application of LNG Holdings (Florida) LLC d/b/a Sawgrass LNG & Power for the granting of a new non-exclusive, restricted Port Everglades vessel bunkering service franchise for a one-year term.
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Why Action is Necessary
Pursuant to Section 32.22 of the Broward County Administrative Code (“Administrative Code”) and the applicable provisions of Chapter 94-429, Laws of Florida, Broward County (the “County”) must hold a public hearing prior to granting, renewing, placing on probation, suspending, or revoking a franchise.
What Action Accomplishes
Enables the setting of a public hearing during which the Broward County Board of County Commissioners may consider adopting the proposed Resolution granting a nonexclusive, restricted Port Everglades vessel bunkering service franchise to LNG Holdings (Florida) LLC d/b/a Sawgrass LNG & Power for a one-year term.
Goal Related Icon(s)
☒County Commission
☐Go Green
☐MAP Broward
Previous Action Taken
None
Summary Explanation/Background
THE PORT EVERGLADES DEPARTMENT RECOMMENDS APPROVAL.
This action supports the Broward County Board of County Commissioners’ (“Board”) Value of “Building partnerships and working collaboratively with others to meet shared objectives,” and the Goal of “Ensuring economic opportunities and a sustainable economy, with an emphasis on Broward’s lower and middle class.”
LNG Holdings (Florida) LLC d/b/a Sawgrass LNG & Power (“Sawgrass Energy & Power”) has applied for approval of a Port Everglades vessel bunkering service franchise to provide liquefied natural gas (“LNG”) bunkering services at Port Everglades. The proposed franchise would initially support the Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection fleet of vessels, including service to the M/V ILMA, with operations anticipated to commence in March 2026. The complete application and supporting documents are on file in the Port Everglades Department, Business Development Division offices.
Sawgrass Energy & Power is registered to do business in the State of Florida, having filed on July 11, 2014. Founded in Delaware in 2014, the company owns and operates a state-of-the-art LNG liquefaction facility in Miami, Florida, with a production capacity of approximately 100,000 gallons per day and approximately 270,000 gallons of onsite LNG storage.
Staff reviewed the vessel bunkering service franchise application submitted by Sawgrass LNG & Power against the enumerated criteria outlined in Chapter 32 of the Administrative Code. Staff's due diligence included, among other things: (a) corresponding with Sawgrass LNG & Power ’s representative to clarify franchise requirements; (b) reviewing Sawgrass LNG & Power ’s corporate status, resumes of executive staff, list of managerial personnel, business history/experience, litigation history, insurance certificate(s), financial documents and creditworthiness, discharge of previous financial obligations to the County, compliance with all franchise terms and conditions and established rules and regulations of the County, required licenses and certificates, company programs and policies, list of equipment to be used at Port Everglades, and statement of activities and actions indicating that Sawgrass LNG & Power will maintain a favorable service performance record in Port Everglades during the term of its new franchise agreement; and (c) ensuring that Sawgrass LNG & Power will promote and develop growth in the business activities, projects, or facilities of Port Everglades. Staff also reviewed Sawgrass LNG & Power’s safety and environmental history and found no infractions.
During the review of the application, staff noted that Sawgrass LNG & Power does not currently meet the requirements for bunkering vessels with petroleum-based fuels or methanol. Thus, the proposed franchise is restricted solely to liquified natural gas (“LNG”), except to the extent that other petroleum-based fuels or methanol are approved in writing in advance by the Port Director. Such approval is at the Port Director’s sole discretion after Sawgrass LNG & Power’s submittal and the Port Director’s review of all documents required by the Administrative Code and all applicable laws, codes, advisory circulars, rules, regulations, and ordinances of any federal, state, county, municipal, or other governmental entity, as amended.
By submitting the signed franchise application, Sawgrass LNG & Power has agreed to comply with all franchise conditions outlined in Sections 32.23 and 32.24 of the Administrative Code.
Based on the review of information provided in the franchise application, staff recommend granting the vessel bunkering service franchise. Per Section 32.20 of the Administrative Code, the County may grant vessel bunkering service franchises for up to five years. Past practice has been for staff to recommend granting first-time applicants for a nonexclusive vessel bunkering service franchise a one-year franchise. Consistent with past practice, staff recommend granting the franchise for a one-year term.
Source of Additional Information
Jorge Hernández, Director, Business Development Division, Port Everglades Department, (954) 468-3501.
Maria Mallarino, Franchise & Business Permit Manager, Business Development Division, Port Everglades Department, (954) 468-0185.
Fiscal Impact
Fiscal Impact/Cost Summary
Sawgrass LNG & Power has paid the required application fee of $4,200 and an annual fee of $2,360, for a total of $6,560 for the proposed one-year term.