News & Updates

SEAPORT SPOTLIGHT: Port Tampa Bay

June 22, 2023

Port Tampa Bay is Florida’s largest and most diversified seaport and the largest economic engine in West Central Florida. Located on the Interstate-4 Corridor, Port Tampa Bay supports varied maritime and related activities, including shipbuilding and repair facilities, cruise, and the largest cargo tonnage volume in the state. Building on a rich history as a leading bulk port, Tampa today accommodates a broad mix of bulk, break-bulk, roll-on/roll-off, and container cargo.

Port Tampa Bay’s growing container volume has been accommodated thanks to an aggressive terminal build-out program, working closely with terminal operator partner Ports America. The port recently completed 25 acres of additional paved storage bringing the total container terminal footprint to 67 acres, and will soon start construction on another 30 acres. Work will soon begin on the addition of a third berth which will bring the total to over 4,500 linear feet allowing three large ships to be worked at the same time. Expansion currently underway includes a new container gate complex and three additional gantry cranes, which will be operational by Summer 2023. This will bring the annual terminal capacity to 1 million TEUs – more than enough capacity to satisfy the future container shipping needs of the rapidly growing Central Florida market.

Since Port Tampa Bay is the closest port to Florida’s hub for the grocery and food and beverage sector, another key facility is the new Port Logistics Refrigerated Services 135,000 SF cold storage facility. Port Tampa Bay is also the energy products gateway to West and Central Florida, importing the oil and gas needs for a huge regional market, as well as the jet fuel needs for the international airports in Tampa and Orlando. The port’s main petroleum products terminal complex recently underwent massive expansion and modernization.