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By 2011, Port's Cargo Shipments Expected To Triple To 125,000

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By TED JACKOVICS

The Tampa Tribune

Published: August 28, 2008

TAMPA - Container cargo shipments to Tampa will triple by 2011, and the port will gain a second container cargo shipping line serving an Asia route within a year, Tampa port officials said Wednesday.

The port expects shipments of containers, which are trucked to and from the port with cargo such as electronics and household goods, will grow from 42,000 in 2008 to 125,000 in 2011, officials said.

Terminal operator Ports America is expected to acquire additional giant "gantry" cranes beyond the three that jump-started the port's lucrative container cargo business with Far East service in 2006, port director Richard Wainio said.

Port authority board members and port staff discussed financial prospects during a workshop Wednesday on the 2009 proposed budget that will be reviewed in a public session Sept. 11. The authority board is expected to approve a new budget Sept. 22. Both public sessions will be held at 5 p.m. at port authority headquarters, 1101 Channelside Drive.

Tampa Mayor Pam Iorio, a member of the port authority board, said container shipment growth is one of the region's most significant economic development initiatives.

"This port has so much to be proud of," Iorio said, regarding the growth in container shipments from about 7,000 in 2003 to the projected 125,000 in 2011.

One example of the growth: The regional warehouse for Bealls Inc. in Bradenton is stocked by trucks coming out of the Port of Tampa rather than by truck from the Port of Savannah in Georgia.

The port's 2009 budget proposal projects $41.1 million in operating revenue and $24.5 million in operating expenses. Nearly $83 million is earmarked for new projects.

Reporter Ted Jackovics can be reached at tjackovics@tampatrib.com or (813) 259-7817.

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