Port Manatee hopes agreement with Panama Canal will increase port traffic
(mysuncoast.com) MANATEE COUNTY - Port Manatee and the Panama Canal are teaming up. The canal is now being expanded to allow today's bigger cargo ships to pass through, and potentially sail into Manatee County.
Port officials say this new agreement shows that the Panama Canal Authority sees something special in Port Manatee and its capacity to do big things in the years ahead.
When the canal's expansion is complete, more ships will bypass the west coast of the United States and come into the Gulf of Mexico. And since Port Manatee is the closest deep water port in the United States to the canal, the potential is limitless.
"You can shortcut those other port facilities by coming to Port Manatee and deliver cargo both north and south in the state of Florida, bypassing these expensive alternatives in neighboring states," says Steve Tyndall, Port Manatee Senior Director.
Right now, on average, about 3 ships, tugs and other boats dock at Port Manatee each day - about 1,000 a year total. "We're optimistic that number will increase dramatically. And I can assure you that we'll be given the right tools to achieve those goals," says Tyndall.
More ships docking here also means more jobs for Manatee County -- and not just on the docks. "You can expect such things as distribution centers and warehouses and the support industries that are related to that business activity to spring up in north Manatee County in the years to come."
Port Manatee is only the 10th U.S. port to sign an agreement with the Panama canal, joining cities like New York, Houston, New Orleans and Miami.
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Original Source: mysuncoast.com
Date Retrieved: May 20, 2009.
