SeaPort Manatee
| SeaPort Manatee | |
|---|---|
 Click on the map for a fullscreen view | |
| Location | |
| Country | United States |
| Location | Manatee County,Florida |
| Coordinates | 27°38′01″N82°33′41″W/ 27.6336443°N 82.5614858°W |
| UN/LOCODE | USPME[1] |
| Details | |
| Opened | August 7, 1970[2] |
| Operated by | Manatee County Port Authority |
| Owned by | Manatee County |
| Type ofharbour | Natural/Artificial |
| Size | 1,100 acres (4.5 km2) |
| No.ofberths | 10[3] |
| Draft depth | 40 ft[3] |
| Employees | 85 |
| Executive director | Carlos Buqueras |
| Cranes | 4 |
| Statistics | |
| Annual cargotonnage | 11 million |
| Website www | |
| Part of the series on |
| Florida Ports |
|---|
 |
| Ports |
| WikiProject Florida |
SeaPort Manateeis a county-owned deepwaterseaportlocated in the easternGulf of Mexicoat the entrance toTampa Bayin northernManatee County, Florida.It is one of Florida's largest deepwater seaports and also regarded as the closest U.S. deepwater seaport to thePanama Canal.[4][5]The port handles a variety of bulk, breakbulk, containerized, and heavy-lift project cargoes.
SeaPort Manatee generates more than $5.1 billion in annual economic impact while supporting more than 37,000 direct andindirect jobs,all without the benefit of ad-valorem taxes.[6]
History
[edit]Manatee County bought 357 acres (144 ha) in 1965 to launch a Barge Port and Industrial Port which later became known as Port Manatee. TheFlorida Legislatureestablished the Manatee County Port Authority (MCPA) which is the governing body for the port, in the same year.[2]
The first ship to dock at the port wasM/V Fermlandon August 7, 1970, unloading 2,000 tons of "Korean plywood". A formal dedication ceremony for the port was held on October 29, 1970[7]at 2 pm. After the opening ceremony, an open house was held that day allowing members of the general public to visit the port. This open house was held for two more days after the opening ceremony occurred.[8]In the 1970s the port was mainly involved with petroleum and phosphate.[2]
By the 1980s the port become more diversified. Berth 11 was built and Berth 12 played a role in rebuilding theSunshine Skyway Bridge.[2]Between 1993 and 2003, theMS Regal EmpressfromRegal Cruisessailed out of Port Manatee from Berth 9.[2][9]A 50th anniversary celebration was scheduled in 2020 but ended up being cancelled because of theCOVID-19 pandemic.[7]
In February 2022, the port was rebranded as SeaPort Manatee.[10]
Imports and exports
[edit]The port handles approximately 11 million tons of cargo each year.[6][11]
Primary imports
[edit]- Tropical fruits and vegetables
- Citrus juices and beverages
- Appliances
- Forestry products
- Refined petroleum products
- Finished phosphate fertilizers
- Aluminum
- Cement and cement clinker
- Steel
- Project cargo such as power plant and bridge components, heavy machinery, and over-sized vehicles
Primary exports
[edit]- Finished phosphate products
- Wood pulp
- Kraft paper and paper board
- Scrap iron and steel
- LNG Heat Exchangers
References
[edit]- ^"UNLOCODE (US) - United States of America (The)".service.unece.org.RetrievedFebruary 18,2022.
- ^abcde"History - Port Manatee".Manatee County Port Authority.RetrievedApril 18,2018.
- ^ab"Port of Port Manatee, U.S.A."www.findaport.com.Shipping Guides Ltd.RetrievedSeptember 23,2020.
- ^"About Us - Port Manatee".Manatee County Port Authority. Archived fromthe originalon October 15, 2006.RetrievedApril 18,2018.
- ^Moore Jr, Michael (December 23, 2019)."Manatee County Port Authority elects Commissioner Priscilla Whisenant Trace as chairwoman".Sarasota Herald-Tribune.Archivedfrom the original on January 3, 2020.RetrievedJanuary 3,2020.
- ^ab"Port Facts".SeaPort Manatee.RetrievedMay 29,2024.
- ^ab"Port Manatee Celebrates 50th Anniversary".Sarasota Magazine.October 30, 2020.RetrievedJanuary 15,2022.
- ^"Port Dedication Scheduled Today".Sarasota Herald-Tribune.October 30, 1970. p. 11.Archivedfrom the original on April 15, 2024.RetrievedJanuary 16,2022– via Google News.
- ^"Port Manatee wants cruise ships again".FOX 13 Tampa Bay.February 26, 2018.Archivedfrom the original on January 15, 2022.RetrievedJanuary 15,2021.
- ^"Port Manatee Rebrands as SeaPort Manatee".Sarasota Magazine.February 17, 2022.RetrievedFebruary 18,2022.
- ^"Port Facts - Port Manatee".Manatee County Port Authority.RetrievedApril 18,2018.
External links
[edit]
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