Port Tampa Bay’s Cruise Terminal 6 was location for the recent Fresh from Florida Export Summit – Accessing Overseas Markets, an event co-presented by the port and the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services.
The summit brought together a cross-section of agriculture, shipping, refrigerated cargo and logistics experts with attendance by Florida growers and producers, including the Florida Fruit and Vegetable Association and its members, as well as food and beverage companies, logistics service providers and regulatory agencies.
Port Tampa Bay president and CEO Paul Anderson opened up the day-long event, setting a tone of enthusiasm for the commercial and shipping opportunities that lie ahead for the port and the state of Florida, particularly with the opening of the expanded Panama Canal this coming June and the port’s recent acquisition of two new post-Panamax container cranes.
“We are delighted to be hosting this important summit and believe there are significant opportunities for the Florida agriculture sector and the food and beverage industry to expand their presence in overseas export markets,” said Anderson.
Florida agriculture commissioner the honourable Adam Putnam provided a thought-provoking keynote address on the state of agriculture and its many related issues and challenges in Florida, as well as export opportunities and factors currently facing one of the state’s largest industries.
Together with container terminal operator partner Ports America, Port Tampa Bay is investing to be well positioned to serve the continued growth in the Florida/southeastern US market and to handle the larger container vessels expected, including as a result of the Panama Canal expansion.
The arrival of two new post-Panamax cranes earlier this month was an important milestone in expanding the Port’s capability, and the Port has plans to quadruple the size of its container terminal from the current 40 acres to over 160 acres.
It is also developing new cold storage facilities and together with CSX, is working on plans for a new express refrigerated train service to the US Midwest to serve both import/export and domestic business.
In October 2015 Port Tampa Bay received approval by the US Department of Agriculture to participate in the cold treatment programme to import select types of refrigerated produce from South America.
