FDOT Sec. Prasad cuts ribbon on new petroleum berth at Port of Tampa

TAMPA, Fla.—The Tampa Port Authority is extremely pleased to announce today’s ribbon cutting of its new petroleum products Berth 222, representing completion of Phase One of the expansion and modernization of the port’s primary petroleum terminal complex—a $56 million expansion and redevelopment that is one of the port’s most significant capital projects in its history.

The official dedication and ribbon cutting ceremony took place Wednesday morning on board the Bay Spirit II catamaran, which sailed with about 50 guests and stakeholders, from The Florida Aquarium south to the new facility. Berth 222 is a modern facility that will be shared among some of the port’s major petroleum customers, who have previously operated independently. This project and the agreement between its users is a benchmark for the Port of Tampa, which is the energy products gateway for all of West and Central Florida. This facility is extremely important to the people and economic vitality of the region, as the port is the primary conduit for oil and gas products, as well as jet fuel for Tampa and Orlando international airports.

Representing the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) was department Secretary Ananth Prasad, who touted the Port of Tampa and its petroleum operations as vital components of the region and critical to economic development for the state, which has in recent years provided unprecedented support to the transportation infrastructure and ports in Florida, in order to raise the global competitiveness and viability of the state. State of Florida investment in the project accounted for approximately half of the total project cost, or $28 million.

Joining Sec. Prasad in the ribbon cutting were State Rep. Mark Danish; TPA Commissioner and Hillsborough County Commissioner Sandy Murman; TPA President/CEO Paul Anderson; State Sen. Jeff Brandes; and State Rep. Dana Young, all of whom have been staunch supporters of the state’s largest port.

“This is a huge day for the Port of Tampa and for our port community, stakeholders and our elected officials who have all played a part in today’s ribbon cutting. We are extremely proud of our state leadership and the Governor’s vision to bolster state port infrastructure and to recognize just how vital ports are to the overall economic health of the state, regions and individual communities. We are in truly exciting times now, and we are all about building a world-class port and delivering jobs, income, and economic development in projects like you are seeing dedicated today,” Paul Anderson, port president and CEO, said.

About the Tampa Port Authority

The Port of Tampa is the largest economic engine in west central Florida, supporting nearly 80,000 jobs and generating almost $15 billion in annual economic impact. The port handles a wide array of bulk, break bulk, containers and roll-on/roll-off cargoes, and is a top ten cruise homeport and shipbuilding and repair center. The Port of Tampa was recently voted “Simply the Best” for world-class customer service in a Logistics Management Magazine reader poll. For more information, visit www.tampaport.com.