SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION
GULF COAST TRADE AND LOGISTICS
Port Tampa Bay is ranked 24th in the US by total trade in cargo tonnage .
Port Tampa Bay that provides cross-docking operations to Del Monte , that ’ s about $ 150 million of investment in the past year ,” Saathoff said .
Along with other customers , the major green fruit companies — Dole , Chiquita and Del Monte — make up the remaining 30 % of the port ’ s vessel arrivals .
State funding has supported the Velasco Container Terminal and roadway expansion to alleviate congestion . Additionally , the Texas Department of Transportation has improved roadways connecting the port to the west side of greater Houston and other areas of Texas . These improvements are designed to support both the petrochemical industry and expanding container business for carriers looking to bypass congestion at other ports .
“ We have a good base with the northsouth trade by the green fruit carriers , but with the completion of the channel project next year , we will be able to drive additional container business through
Port Freeport ,” Saathoff said .
Freeport boasts the shortest distance to deep water among the Gulf ports ; deepening and widening projects have further enhanced its capability to service an array of vessel sizes . Its fourth and final dredging project , the Freeport Harbor Channel Improvement Project , is expected to be completed by the end of 2025 , allowing larger tanker and container ships to use the terminal .
“ We have 56 feet in depth from the crude oil terminal offshore , and from the crude oil terminal into our container terminal will be 51 feet ,” Saathoff said . The port will celebrate its 100th anniversary in 2025 , marking a century since the original project of diverting the Brazos River to provide a reliable port of entry and eliminate flooding issues .
“ It ’ s a great way to celebrate — giving a completed project back to the community to start off the next 100 years ,” Saathoff said .
Ports along the Gulf Coast are also well positioned to support increasing cargo activity in containerized , breakbulk and bulk sectors .
Port Tampa Bay , the largest port in Florida , is ranked 24th in the United States by total trade in cargo tonnage . The port specializes in bulk , containerized and general cargos , including project cargo , ro / ro and breakbulk .
Now the third-most-populous state in the country , Florida is home to 23 million people , and its population forecast to reach 28 million by 2030 and 32 million by 2040 . Port Tampa Bay serves the largest market in the Eastern Gulf of Mexico and is in one of the major markets in the Southeastern US .
“ Continued strong population growth is fueling cargo demand for everything from consumer goods , food and beverage products , and e-commerce to construction and building materials ,” said Raul Alfonso ,
52 Journal of Commerce | December 2 , 2024 www . joc . com