Port Manatee now handling containers

Port Manatee now handling containers Florida's Port Manatee, which has made a living for years specializing in breakbulk, bulk and specialty chilled cargoes, has added container moves to its available services.
   The Tampa Bay port Wednesday celebrated the first pick with its new mobile container crane, taking a container from a Fresh Del Monte Produce vessel with fanfare from port and local dignitaries.
   Manatee County Port Authority Chairman Joe McLash but the event in context: 'This crane represents the future of Port Manatee. Its arrive puts the port in a position to attract new containerized service, which could dramatically increase port revenues and provide for the economic vitality of Manatee County.
   Port Manatee Executive Director David L. McDonald added: 'We've been waiting a long time for this moment and we owe so much to so many.'
   The port has seen a limited number of container moves in the past, but with the new $3.9 million Gottwald mobile harbor container crane, it will be able to significantly ramp up its container business. The multipurpose crane can work ships with containers, but can also lift other general cargoes weighing up to 100 tons.
   The port has ambitious goals for container business. Officials said the target is to eventually handle 600,000 TEUs of containerized cargo a year.