Closest US deepwater seaport to Panama Canal must work fast to repair structures after dramatic end to financial year
Damage to Florida import hub SeaPort Manatee caused by Hurricane Milton will cost around US$200mn, according to a new estimate released by Manatee County Port Authority.
The port, which is a major entry point for fresh produce into the US and home to one of Del Monte’s main import terminals, this week reported record cargo activity for the fiscal year ended 30 September.
During the 12-month period, it handled 11.8mn tonnes of cargo, up 7.2 per cent on the year and the highest in its 54-year history.
Containerised cargo throughput reached a record 168,897 TEUs, up 1 per cent on the previous period.
“The record levels of critical goods moving through SeaPort Manatee and the port’s overall major role in the regional economy underscore the importance of restoring severely damaged infrastructure and returning to fully normal operations as soon as possible,” said SeaPort Manatee executive director Carlos Buqueras.
Hurricane Milton made landfall just south of the port on 9 October and forced the port to close its operations temporarily.
Early reports suggested the hurricane had damaged berths, warehouses and administrative buildings.
Emergency funding of around US$9.5mn has apparently been secured to support repairs and fortifications.
“As we continue to work with private-sector partners and government authorities at all levels to get back to full-throttle business as soon as feasible, we recognise the imperative to do all we can to maintain the flow of a host of vital goods,” Buqueras added.
