Tampa briefs state on aggregate capacity

Tampa briefs state on aggregate capacity With Florida's aggregate market in the midst of a fundamental transformation, the Port of Tampa has prepared a report for the state's Strategic Aggregate Review Task Force on the port's preparations for handling increased volumes.
   For years, much of the aggregate materials critical to the construction industry have come from within the state. But as aggregate mining sites in Florida are being depleted and environmental concerns impact the industry, there is a transition to supply the construction industry with aggregate materials from other countries.
   The changes will impact several ports around the state. But Tampa, as the largest bulk port in Florida, is seen as a crucial gateways for expanded imports of aggregates.
   'We have a dominant and growing role in the region's energy supply and now we are further developing the port's infrastructure and moving toward being a dominant player in the importation of aggregates,' Richard Wainio, port director and chief executive officer, told the task force.
   Terminals for several cement and aggregate handling companies are in the process of being expanded, Wainio noted.
   He said the Port of Tampa's throughput of aggregates is about 2.3 million tons annually. New lease guarantees, coupled with those of existing port customers, will provide an expected 10 million to 12 million tons of aggregate per year by 2013, the port believes.