Tampa tonnage increases to new record

Tampa tonnage increases to new record The Port of Tampa had a 10 percent increase in total tonnage in fiscal year 2005 and made historic improvements in its ability to handle containerized cargoes, according to the annual 'State of the Port' report.
   Total tonnage at Tampa's public terminals, which handle bulk, breakbulk and containerized cargoes, reach a record 17.1 million tons, for a gain of 10 percent.
   Tampa is primarily a liquid bulk and dry bulk gateway. In addition to the volumes for public terminals, private bulk terminals combined to give Tampa total tonnage numbers of 47 million tons, twice the tonnage of any other port in the state and nearly as much as the combined tonnage of the ports of Miami, Port Everglades, and Jacksonville.
   But port director Richard Wainio said the most exciting gains in 2005 were in the container shipping category.
   Improvements at the Hookers Point Container Terminal were completed, increasing berth space to 1,800 feet. Three gantry cranes are operating, and there is now 24 acres of paved marshalling space.
   In addition, he noted, Tampa added its first direct service from the Far East, with Zim Integrated Shipping and space sharing partner Emirates Shipping Line now calling the port with their Asia U.S. Express service.