Port Tampa Bay Weekly Web Update
November 21, 2025
Port Tampa Bay Welcomes Two New Governing Board Commissioners
This week, Port Tampa Bay was honored to welcome Mark Kaplan and Christopher Carrere to the port’s Governing Board as they were officially sworn in as Commissioners.
As members of the Governing Board, Commissioners Kaplan and Carrere will play an important role in setting policy, guiding maritime operations, and overseeing port development to ensure Port Tampa Bay continues its growth as a leader in the maritime industry.
Their leadership and experience will support Port Tampa Bay’s mission to drive economic development, operational excellence, and community impact throughout the region.
Learn more about Mark, Christopher, and our full Governing Board here.
Port Tampa Bay Participates in the Great American Teach-In
Port Tampa Bay was proud to take part in this year’s Great American Teach-In (GATI) with Hillsborough County Public Schools, visiting students at Anderson Elementary for a day focused on career discovery and community engagement.
GATI brings professionals, community partners, and industry experts into K–12 classrooms to introduce students to the wide range of careers across the region. Our team shared insights on port operations, maritime careers, and the role Port Tampa Bay plays in supporting Florida’s economy and global supply chain.
Auto Imports Surge at Port Tampa Bay
It has been a busy month at Port Tampa Bay. In just the first two weeks of November, the port has received more than 6,500 new auto imports, and we anticipate approximately 9,500 vehicles by the end of the month. If projections hold, this could represent a record month for auto imports.
Florida is the third-largest state in the country for new vehicle purchases, and marine transportation offers clear efficiencies — reducing delivery time, lowering road congestion, and minimizing in-transit vehicle damage. These benefits support manufacturers, dealers, and consumers across the region.
Port Tampa Bay continues to expand capacity and enhance infrastructure to support this growing segment.
Port Tampa Bay Drives Florida’s Supply Chain
Port Tampa Bay plays a major role in strengthening Florida’s economy, handling 32.5% of the state’s imports and 13% of its exports. As the most diversified seaport in West Central Florida, Port Tampa Bay manages approximately 33 million tons of cargo each year.
This includes essential goods such as food and beverages, agricultural products, fuel, steel, and furniture — commodities that support businesses and families across the region.
With ongoing investments in infrastructure, terminal expansion, and equipment modernization, Port Tampa Bay continues to meet the needs of its partners and help strengthen the state’s supply chain.
Port Tampa Bay Announces the 2026 Anchor Ball
Port Tampa Bay is pleased to announce the return of its annual gala fundraising event, the Port Tampa Bay Anchor Ball, taking place on January 24, 2026, at TPepin’s Hospitality Centre.
The Anchor Ball brings together leaders and partners from across the maritime industry for an evening dedicated to supporting programs that serve seafarers and students pursuing maritime careers. The event will feature a silent and live auction, dinner, music, and dancing.
All proceeds benefit:
- Tampa Port Ministries, which provides essential support services to visiting seafarers; and
- The Tampa Bay Maritime Scholarship Foundation, which helps students access education and training for careers in the maritime industry.
We look forward to welcoming our partners for an evening celebrating the people and programs at the heart of Tampa Bay’s maritime community.
December Port Tampa Bay Board Meeting
The next regular business meeting of the Tampa Port Authority, d/b/a Port Tampa Bay, Board of Commissioners is scheduled for:
Tuesday, December 16, 2025
9:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
Port Tampa Bay Board Room
1101 Channelside Drive, Tampa, FL 33602
Public comment is welcome for anyone who signs in prior to the meeting. Speakers will be called in order of sign-up and allotted up to three (3) minutes.
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Stay tuned for next week’s update as we continue sharing highlights from across Port Tampa Bay’s operations, community engagement, and economic impact.
