P&O Ports to run Tampa terminals

P&O Ports to run Tampa terminals    P&O Ports North America Inc. and the Port of Tampa have reached a long-term agreement to have P&O Ports operate some terminals at the Florida Gulf Coast port.
   The agreement calls for P&O Ports to operate terminals for general and refrigerated cargo, as well as the recently completed Hooker's Point Container Terminal. Port officials said the intention with the Hooker's Point agreement is to 'substantially' increase container business at the port.
   'We believe the arrival of P&O Ports in Tampa will take our established container terminal operations to an even higher level, providing more options and better service to our expanding customer base,' said Richard Wainio, port director and chief executive officer for the Tampa Port Authority.
   The agreement with P&O Ports follows a mutual agreement by the port authority and SSA Gulf Inc. to terminate their terminal operator concession agreement. The port authority and SSA Atlantic Terminals also agreed to terminate SSA's Harborside Refrigerated Services lease agreement.
   'This mutual agreement to terminate existing agreements represents their respective objectives for operations at the Port of Tampa,' a statement from the port said.