Port of Tampa to showcase new AMPORTS facility at Automotive Logistics Global Conference in Detroit
TAMPA, Fla.—The Tampa Port Authority (TPA) announced that the new Port of Tampa AMPORTS auto-processing facility will be showcased at the Automotive Logistics Global Conference, to be held in Detroit, September 24-26, 2013. Raul Alfonso, the port authority’s executive vice president and chief commercial officer, will be a featured speaker at the conference to present the Port of Tampa AMPORTS terminal as a new, efficient and cost effective solution to the expanding Mexico-North America automobile market.
On July 18 of this year, the TPA and AMPORTS signed a letter of intent to develop a new terminal dedicated to the import and export of automobiles and rolling stock. The agreement underscores an exciting dynamic between Mexico’s expanding automobile manufacturing operations and the North American market. Mexico’s large and growing capacity for automotive production is spurring demand for efficient and low-cost distribution to the U.S. market, where an estimated one in 10 cars sold in the U.S. is made in Mexico. The state of Florida will soon surpass New York as the third most populous state in the U.S., and distributing new cars from the center of the state of Florida provides an optimal supply chain for this growing market, with CSX rail delivery to other key inland destinations.
Mr. Alfonso will be participating in a panel discussion with key automotive industry decision makers, together with other logistics and shipping industry experts, during the conference’s fourth session: “Mexico – Examining the solutions to the challenges for this exciting region.”
“I am very pleased to take part in discussions about the importance of the auto logistics industry and offer a unique perspective from the Port of Tampa, sharing our exciting story of new partnerships and plans for the future. It is my hope that conference participants will leave the conference with thought-provoking information and be able to take actions that will increase viability and efficiencies for the markets and the industry as a whole,” Alfonso said.
The Port of Tampa is Florida’s largest and one of the nation’s most cargo-diverse seaports. The port is the largest economic engine in the Central Florida region, supporting about 80,000 jobs and generating $15.1 billion in annual economic impact. For more information about the Port of Tampa, visit www.tampaport.com.