Tampa foresees big gains

Tampa foresees big gains Officials at the Port of Tampa say they expect to see container volumes come close to doubling in the port's fiscal year 2007.
   At a budget workshop for the port commissioners Thursday, port director Richard Wainio and chief financial officer Mike Macaluso offered a bright outlook for FY 2007, according to a report in the Tampa Tribune.
   Container volumes are expected to nearly double to 50,000 twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs), with container-generated revenue projected to reach $1.1 million, up from $330,000 anticipated for FY 2006. The port's fiscal year ends September 30.
   The report said the port anticipates that in FY 2007 that 29.2 percent of its revenue will come from bulk cargo; 20.1 percent from rentals and leases; 19.8 percent from cruise operations; 15.5 percent from other port usage, including parking; 11.5 percent from general cargo; and 4 percent for other operating revenue.
   The port's container volumes are expected to increase dramatically as a result of a new direct service from Asia by Zim American Integrated Shipping Services that started this summer.