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Issue 4 2020 - FBJNA


Responses: The diverse


cargo mix at Port Tampa Bay is proving to be a major advantage during the COVID-19 pandemic. Our cruise business was obviously impacted when the no-sail order came into effect, but fortunately we were already headed into our slower summer season for cruises. Also, with fewer cars on the road and fewer plans flying, we have started to see an


impact on petroleum product deliveries. Our container business has been doing well so far, as has construction and building materials such as cement, granite and gypsum. We recently started receiving some new break bulk lumber business serving the home improvement and construction sector. This new service is performing well, and our break bulk steel business has been steady. For the most recent six-


///GULF COAST PORTS


A tanker sails into the Port of Corpus Christi. (Port of Corpus Christi photo.)


month period through to the end of March of 2020 (latest numbers available), our cargo vessel and barge traffic totaled 987 vessel calls, approximately the same as for the same period last year. Total cargo moving via Port Tampa Bay terminal facilities was up by 8% for this period. We have stayed in close


contact with our major container cargo beneficial cargo owner customers during the pandemic. Many of these companies have their major distribution centers (which serve the entire Florida market) close to Port Tampa Bay along the I-4 corridor. Some of them have requested special arrangements for storage, which we have been happy to accommodate, but for the most part, containers have been moving quickly through the port and along to the customers’ distribution centers. This region is home to the largest concentration of distribution centers in the state and our proximity means that they can receive as many as 3 to 4 roundtrip deliveries per day from the Port, an important factor these days with the increased importance of ecommerce. 4. What about labor? Are


you experiencing any labor shortages or challenges? Ports America is our


Success of SEACOR AMH, LLC’s container-on-barge services at the Port leads to major expansion of container storage capacity.


The public/private partnership between the Port of Greater Baton Rouge and SEACOR AMH, LLC continues to produce increases in the number of containers handled at the Inland Rivers Marine Terminal at the Port’s North Line Road facility. In 2017, SEACOR AMH handled 8,018 containers there. In 2018, that number increased to 13,685 and continued to rise in 2019 to 14,000 containers.


Due to this increase in container movement, the Port has undertaken an expansion of the Inland Rivers Marine Terminal’s container storage yard. The expansion is estimated to cost approximately $4.5 million and will include 3.5 acres of concrete poured to expand the Port’s container storage capacity.


Port Executive Director Jay Hardman said, “We are excited about the success of the COB service and the opportunity to expand our capacity. Every container that goes down the Mississippi River to New Orleans for export is one less 18-wheel truck on our roads and bridges.”


For more information, contact Greg Johnson: 225-342-1660.


container terminal operator and also operates our break bulk facilities. They have remained open throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. Practically every tenant, customer and partner of Port Tampa Bay has continued their operations as an essential business. Port Tampa Bay worked alongside Ports America and our terminal and service providers to allow normal gate hours and operations for our customers, which enabled them to deliver diverse goods to our region. We are currently in the


2425 Ernest Wilson Drive • P.O. Box 380 • Port Allen, LA 70767-0380 PH: (225) 342.1660 • FAX: (225) 342.1666 www.portgbr.com


middle of a multi-phased expansion of our container terminal from the current 40 acres to 66 acres, by adding another 22 acres to the north, which will be completed in July. Port Tampa Bay is working closely with Ports America on the next phase which will see a new gate


complex and radiation portal monitors, a new terminal operating system, expansion of another 30 acres, as well extending our berth length from 2800 to 3800 linear feet, and adding additional gantry cranes. This will more than triple capacity from the current 300,000 to over 1 million TEUs. Further to the south, the Port is developing over 200 acres of industrially-zoned land at Port Redwing and South Bay Tampa Bay with deep-water access for tenants involved in manufacturing, fabrication and distribution. A 135,000 SF state-of-the- art on-dock refrigerated warehouse was added in 2018, adjacent to the Port Tampa Bay container terminal. This warehouse is operated by Ports Logistic Refrigerated Services. Construction will begin later this year on a 100,000 SF rail- served trans-load warehouse, part of a 50 acre port logistics park with phased development of 500,000 SF of warehousing, trans-loading and distribution facilities. Raul Alfonso, Executive


Vice President and Chief Commercial Officer


Port Manatee


Port Manatee has been experiencing a slight decline in overall cargo tonnage, which is not all related to the pandemic. “While containerized produce is up 54% compared to last fiscal year, we are seeing a decline in bulk commodities as well as nearly 50% less fuel moving across the docks due to the decrease in demand,” reports Virginia Zimmermann, port spokesperson. In April, the port saw 54 ship


calls. There are no large volumes of commodities sitting due to Covid 19. Meanwhile, Port Manatee has been moving forward with an extensive capital improvement plan. While the port has just completed the construction of a $1 million, 3.6- acre transfer facility with room for 120 trailers, it is currently expanding its Northgate by two additional exit lanes and is improving one of its warehouse facilities by adding six new loading docks. In June, the port will begin a $7.5 million expansion of the container yard, adding 7 more acres to the present 10-acre South Port facility.


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