Container
Expanding capacity to Florida's Distribution Hub
Florida Profile
Florida is one of the fastest growing states in the country and Central Florida, centered on the Tampa-Orlando I-4 corridor, is one of the fastest growing areas of the state. Florida’s rapidly expanding population has overtaken New York, making it the third largest state after California and Texas.
Home to nearly half of Florida’s 23 million residents and a majority of more than 143 visitors, the I-4 corridor from Tampa to Orlando has exploded with distribution and warehouse capacity to most efficiently serve the largest consumer market in the Southeastern U.S.
Cargo
Cargo Capabilities
Florida's Distribution Hub
Capabilities:
Nearly 500,000 square feet of warehouse and transit shed capacity
7,000 feet of berth
Five gantry cranes, including two post Panamax and two post Panamax Cranes on order
3x100-ton Gottwald mobile harbor cranes
I-4 Expressway connector with dedicated ramp for Port Tampa Bay truck traffic
43 feet deep water channel (13 meters) and USACE approval to deepen to 47 feet (14.3m)
Diversification of cargo handling
- High and heavy equipment
- Steel products
- Project cargoes
- Ro-Ro
- Forest Products
- Containers
Tampa Bay - Huge Market
A Florida-direct supply chain solution to serve the largest consumer market in the southeast
Closest port to Florida’s Distribution Hub – the I-4 Corridor, and burgeoning I-75 Corridor – home to the largest concentration of distribution centers in the state allows multiple round-trip deliveries/day
No congestion
Weekly direct sailings from Asia, Central America, South America, Caribbean and Mexico.
135,000 square foot on-dock cold storage facility
Access to abundant northbound backhaul trucking capacity = delivery cost savings to the Southeast and beyond (50% lower than southbound rates)
Executive Shipper's Council
More than 250 key importers and exporters located within 100 miles of Tampa who control more than 300,000 TEUs/year and who are keen to support carriers who call Tampa direct
Serving the Central Florida market via Tampa results in truck cost savings of $800 per container versus using more distant and congested ports
Potential Tampa local market more than 500,000 TEUs within less than a day's drive for truck drivers
Major industry clusters in the Tampa market include the food and beverage sector, citrus and juice products, furniture, general department store merchandise, steel, and fertilizer products.
Companies such as Rooms to Go, Sysco, Publix, Bealls, Southern Wine & Spirits, Premier Beverages, Coca Cola Refreshments, Pepsico, Cutrale, Disney, VF Wear, Vigo, Amalie, Mosaic, Trademark Metals, Lowe’s, Home Depot, Badcock and Kane’s Furniture are examples of some of the exporters and importers with significant facilities in the Tampa/Orlando I-4 corridor region, many of who have recently constructed and/or expanded distribution center capacity.
Tampa Gateway Rail
The Tampa Gateway Rail was developed under an innovative public-private partnership between Port Tampa Bay, Kinder Morgan Energy Partners L.P. and CSX Corp. It created the nation’s first ethanol unit train to a pipeline distribution system, plus Florida’s first on dock unit train capability – Completed in 2012, the project has surpassed expectations and enhanced Port Tampa Bay’s position as the leading energy gateway in Florida. Almost $11 million was invested by Port Tampa Bay and CSX, while Kinder Morgan expanded the ethanol receipt and distribution capabilities of its terminal at the port which can now handle 100 car unit trains.
I-4/Selmon Expressway Connector
This dedicated Interstate truck ramp provides a direct link between Port Tampa Bay and Interstate 4 (and onward to I-75) via the I-4/Selmon Expressway Connector, a 1.5 mile elevated roadway with dedicated truck lanes and a series of connective ramps.This $600 million project was coordinated among the Florida Department of Transportation, Florida’s Turnpike and the Tampa Hillsborough County Expressway Authority, with a $105 million boost from federal stimulus funds.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I schedule a shipment?
- If you are scheduling a shipment for export or import via Port Tampa Bay, visit our Sailing Schedule page to contact one of our ocean carriers.
- If you need help with your logistics, there is a list of Customs Brokers and Freight Forwarders in our online Directory.
What will Port Tampa Bay charge me to ship my shipment?
No, individual shippers are not charged. Rates are charged to the port terminal operators and ocean carriers.
How do I track my shipment?
- Contact your Customs Broker, Freight Forwarder and/or Ocean Carrier to help track your shipment.
Can I ship goods to Europe or South America via Port Tampa Bay?
Visit our Sailing Schedule page to view all of our ocean carriers. Multiple connection points are available.
Does the Port sell shipping containers, how to buy containers?
- The Port does not own or sell shipping containers.
- For a listing of companies that do sell containers please, visit our online Directory under 'container & chassis sales, lease & repair'.
I bought an item from (insert country) and it says that the item is coming to Tampa?
"Tampa" does not mean that the "Port of Discharge" is the Port of Tampa/Port Tampa Bay.
Check your paperwork and review the Port of Discharge or the Final Destination.
Having a Freight Forwarder and/or Customs Broker can be very helpful.