March 28, 2024

A Logistics and Supply Chain Report

Florida Logistics and Supply Chain Report

Moving Florida Forward: New innovations, competition and demand are challenging the state's logistics and distribution systems. Here's how Florida's business and government leaders are meeting these challenges.

Teresa Barber | 2/1/2009

Opportunity on the Horizon

One of the biggest changes that will impact the state’s transportation facilities and infrastructure is happening outside of Florida. With upgrades to the Panama Canal, there will be increased cargo levels coming into the state. This means increased profit opportunities for Florida businesses and facilities that are equipped to handle the work.

The impacts of the $5.25 billion Panama Canal upgrades can be seen now, in advance of the anticipated 2014 completion date. Already, Florida ports and shipping companies are rethinking their deployment patterns and models.

And Florida is not alone. Port communities from Mobile to Savannah are implementing similar policies, and lawmakers in Alabama and Georgia have pledged to fund port expansion projects despite state budget shortfalls.

The Port of Tampa is in a unique position to take advantage of the opportunities. In addition to being Florida’s largest port and the closest to the canal, Tampa Port Director and CEO Richard Wainio has inside knowledge of what to expect. Wainio spent 20 years in various senior management positions with the Panama Canal Authority and was instrumental in strategic planning for its future.

Tampa’s port today hosts nearly 50 million tons of diverse goods each year, from liquid and dry bulk to steel and automobiles. While much of the current cargo serves the central Florida region, the Tampa port is emerging as an important distribution center gateway for Florida and the Southeastern U.S.

Under Wainio’s leadership, the Tampa port has dramatically increased its crane capacity and embarked on a multi-phased approach to expanding its container facilities. The port also offers direct container service from Asia with global connections.

Changes like these could be the catalyst that moves Florida’s logistics and supply chain system toward serving not just in-state consumer markets, but advancing as an international gateway and access point for the American Southeast and Gulf Coast.

 Seaports
» 70% of Florida’s international commerce moves by water.
» Every Florida business is within 90 miles of at least one of 14 deepwater seaports.

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