TBO.com - TBO is Tampa Bay Online

Port Manatee Expansion Focuses On New Shipping Opportunities

Tribune file photo by JAY NOLAN

A portion of Port Manatee's plans focuses on attracting containerized shipping, along with berth and container terminal expansions and road and railroad improvements.

ADVERTISEMENT

By TED JACKOVICS | The Tampa Tribune

Published: February 24, 2009

The Manatee County Port Authority has approved Port Manatee's $750 million master plan for expansion over five decades, with the immediate focus on opportunities associated with the Panama Canal expansion scheduled to be completed in 2014.

The plan approved last week does not authorize capital expenditures, which the port authority would review and approve individually.

One portion of the master plan focuses on attracting containerized shipping, along with berth and container terminal expansions and road and railroad improvements.

"We don't see Port Manatee as being in competition with Tampa or any other Florida seaport," said Jill VanderPol, communications manager for Port Manatee. "We feel there is enough business for all Florida ports."

The Port of Tampa will add about 14.5 acres of paved storage area to its 25-acre container cargo terminal by August and has plans over the next few years to expand it to 140 acres with additional cargo handling equipment.

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

Share this:

Loading Comments...

Email Print

ADVERTISEMENT