PORT LOGISTICS REFRIGERATED SERVICES MAKES KEY INVESTMENT
P
ort Logistics Refrigerated Services (PLRS) at Port Tampa Bay has unveiled a new Konecranes Gottwald
Generation 6 Mobile Harbor Crane, a key investment designed to enhance the facility’s capabilities in handling refrigerated and break-bulk cargo. The crane, already in action offloading fresh produce from the Dole Aztec, a vessel that arrived from Central America, will significantly expand the terminal’s capacity to manage perishable goods and heavy lift operations. The crane joins two high-speed
Gottwald models currently in use at the facility, strengthening PLRS’s ability to service the growing demands of the refrigerated cargo market. “The addition of this crane improves our
ability to support customers across the containerized, break-bulk, and heavy-lift cargo sectors,” said Nate Pitmon, VP/ executive managing director of Port Logistics Refrigerated Services. Russell Smeback, CFO and VP of Business Development for PLRS, highlighted that the crane is part of a broader strategy to scale the company’s operations and expand its customer base. “As we continue to grow, we are positioning ourselves to take on new market opportunities and better serve our existing clients,” Smeback noted. The expansion at PLRS also has broader implications for the region.
“As Florida’s population continues to
grow, serving the state’s largest food and beverage sector in the Tampa/Orlando I-4 corridor is essential,” said Paul Anderson, President & CEO of Port Tampa Bay. “We are excited about PLRS’s continued
investment in infrastructure and their ability to support Florida’s expanding perishable cargo market.” Raul Alfonso, executive VP and CCO,
praised PLRS’s proactive approach to meeting increasing demand from Latin American trade. “PLRS is staying ahead of the curve, ensuring they have the
infrastructure in place to handle the growing volume of cargo,” he said. PLRS operates a 135,000-square-foot,
state-of-the-art facility with specialized services for perishables, including proteins, fresh produce, and beverages. The temperature-controlled warehouse boasts more than 4,000 pallet positions, 250 refrigerated plugs with plans to increase to 500 by 2025, and dedicated fumigation services. The terminal’s strategic location at Berth 219, with its direct access to rail and highways, allows it to quickly serve regional markets and provides efficient logistics for the Southeast U.S. PLRS’s facility is a full-service, flexible, and independent terminal offering a range of services including an on-site customs inspection area and radiation portal monitoring. It is poised to accommodate growing demand from markets in Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, and Costa Rica, while further expanding its role as a vital player in Florida’s rapidly growing food and beverage distribution sector. Port Tampa Bay, Florida’s largest port, continues to be a key economic engine, supporting over 192,000 jobs and contributing $34 billion in annual economic impact. Known for its diverse cargo capabilities, the port is also a top U.S. cruise hub and a center for shipbuilding and repair.
Dockside Lift & Move Supplement | February 2025 | vii
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