Florida ’ s preferred supply chain solution
SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION
GULF COAST TRADE AND LOGISTICS
According to data released in December by the US Census Bureau , Florida , is now the third-largest state , with a population of more than 23 million people . It became home to an additional 467,347 people in 2024 , second only to Texas , which gained 562,941 new residents .
Texas ’ s central location , as the primary entry point for trade with Mexico , combined with expansive intermodal rail connectivity , a comprehensive intercontinental highway network and three of the country ’ s top 10 busiest airports , gives the state and the Gulf region a distinct trade and logistics advantage .
“ Fueled by one of the largest economies in the world , [ and ] ranked 8th globally , our growing workforce makes Texas one of the most attractive places to do business and find a job ,” said John Moseley , chief commercial officer at Port Houston .
“ The Gulf is among the fastestgrowing regions in the country as the
Port Tampa Bay experienced an 18 % increase in TEU volumes over the past 12 months .
Port Tampa Bay
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 its 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 for a total of five . Construction is currently underway to add 30 acres of paved storage for a total of 100 acres , and a berth extension from 3,200 to 4,500 linear feet . n
50 Journal of Commerce | February 3 , 2025 www . joc . com