Tampa ship repair company staying put for now

Tampa ship repair company staying put for now International Ship Repair & Marine Services Inc., the Tampa-based ship repair company, will seek to extend its lease on a Port of Tampa property that became available after a proposed hotel and condominium project on the site was scuttled, according to a Tampa Tribune report.
   International Ship, which operates dry dock and other ship repair facilities, employs about 500 in Tampa in direct employment and repair services-related jobs. International Ship President Tad Humphreys told the newspaper the shipyard will have to be relocated at some point, but the company would seek to remain at its present location for now since the development project is no longer a factor. The lease on the existing site expires Sept. 30.
   Part of the property used for International Ship operations had been projected for development of a $425 million waterfront hotel and condominium project. But the project's developer chose not to consummate a lease option on 11 acres owned by the port due to the declining real estate market, the report said.
   The Tampa Port Authority is still working on a new master plan for port property, and although no firm plans for the site have been established, the consensus is that the International Ship operations will need to be relocated, Humphreys said.
   “Our intent is to work with the port authority staff to find a suitable location that fits the long-term business goals and objections of the company,” he said.