Florida Seaport System Plan - SeaCIP

Florida Seaport System Plan
and petrochemicals, phosphate and fertilizer, cement and aggregate, and
other material vital to Florida’s economy. It is strategically positioned in
one of Florida’s fastest-growing regions and offers excellent access to the
Tampa and Orlando metropolitan areas, with the capability to significantly
expand its handling of containerized traffic serving these markets. Most of
its conditions factors are acceptable. Areas of particular strength include
turning basins, berths, lack of conflict with other vessels, terminal
equipment and facilities, rail service, and overall access to markets.
• Constraints. Under current conditions, significant constraints are fairly
limited. Current constraints are limited to channel dimensions and the air
draft of 178 feet due to the Sunshine Skyway Bridge (which is only a
limitation for the largest cruise vessels).
• Moving Forward. Channel improvements and a variety of highway and
rail improvements are planned for the Port of Tampa. The I-4 Connector
project, which is well underway, will provide seamless access to and from
the Interstate system for the Port. Implementation of these improvements
should address current concerns and limit the emergence of future
constraints. Land availability and financing of major capital improvements
will continue to be important issues.
Port of St. Petersburg
• Throughput. No cargo or passenger throughput. The Port of St.
Peterburg’s focus is on the mega yacht business sector and the research
vessel business sector.
• Anticipated Growth. The Port of St. Petersburg is expecting growth in
both business sectors.
• Strengths to Build On. The Port of St. Petersburg has an established
record in growing port revenues related with its two business sectors.
• Constraints. The Port of St. Petersburg is small and has a depth of 23 feet.
Currently, port renovations/upgrades must be accomplished in small
increments over several years due to limited availability of capital funds.
• Moving Forward. The Port of St. Petersburg will continue to seek grant
funds to assist with capital improvements and will continue to seek mega
yacht business and research vessel business.
For the seaports not included above, the following summarizes their current
traffic and anticipated growth.
Florida Department of Transportation 4-8
December 2010