Florida ’ s preferred supply chain solution
SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION
GULF COAST TRADE AND LOGISTICS
industrial and petrochemical region . The energy and chemical sector accounts for 70 % of the port ’ s vessel arrivals .
Port Freeport has also seen significant growth in roll-on / roll-off ( ro / ro ) volumes , with 162,000 automobiles handled in the last fiscal year and a record 950,000 tons of steel moved .
“ We continue to see a growing population and investments that are bringing more jobs throughout the state of Texas , and the demand for consumer goods and opportunities for exports and imports are going to continue to grow ,” said Port Freeport CEO Phyllis Saathoff .
Significant investments include a 120- acre project to consolidate rail and ocean operations for Volkswagen , as well as a share of a $ 200 million state fund for maritime infrastructure . A berth extension and rail platform have been in place for approximately one year .
“ We ’ re growing the economic investment in the port . Between Dole , Volkswagen and the Freeport warehouse
Port Freeport boasts the shortest distance to deep water among ports on the Gulf Coast .
Port Freeport
Florida ’ s preferred supply chain solution
Perfectly positioned in the center of the state of Florida , Port Tampa Bay provides significant efficiencies and supply chain cost savings to the importers and exporters who serve the rapidly growing Florida market from the state ’ s distribution hub — the Tampa Bay / Orlando I-4 Corridor . The recent expansion of container services with Asia and Latin America via Port Tampa Bay have been critical in serving Florida ’ s largest and fastest-growing market . Home to the state ’ s largest concentration of distribution centers ( DCs ), the Central Florida region has over 550 million square feet of DC space right in Port Tampa Bay ’ s backyard .
This region is also one of the hottest industrial real estate markets in the country and Florida ’ s hub for distribution , logistics and manufacturing . Florida now has the 15th largest economy in the world and is the fastest-growing state in the country . Florida ’ s rapidly expanding population has already overtaken New York , making it the third-largest state . Home to nearly half of the state ’ s 23 million residents and welcoming a majority of the 140 million visitors each year , the Central Florida region is also the fastest-growing part of the state . In fact , three Tampa Bay counties — Polk , Hillsborough and Pasco — are among the fastest growing in the country .
Beneficial cargo owners are seeing significant savings in their drayage and distribution costs as truckers make as many as three to four round-trip deliveries per day from Port Tampa Bay to their DCs , which then serve the entire state . Customers also benefit from attractive northbound backhaul truck rates to extend their reach into markets throughout the
Southeast and beyond .
Port Tampa Bay , along with container terminal operator Ports America , has accommodated the growth in Florida by staying ahead of the curve thanks to our terminal build-out program . Recent expansion includes a new expanded gate complex and the recent delivery of three additional ship-to-shore post- Panamax cranes , bringing the total of five . Construction is currently underway to add 30 acres of paved storage , bringing the total to 100 , and a berth extension from 3,200 to 4,500 linear feet . n
50 Journal of Commerce | December 2 , 2024 www . joc . com