PORT UPDATE: SHORING UP SUPPLY CHAINS
high-performance gateway and a primary economic driver for West Central Florida, generating a $34.6-billion annual economic impact,” Anderson says. “This growth is supported by Florida’s population of more than 23 million residents and approximately 143 million annual visitors, both of which continue to drive sustained demand for freight movement, energy products, and consumer goods across the state and region.” The most generationally signi cant project is the Tampa Harbor Navigation Improvement Project, which will deepen the federal shipping channel from 43 to 47 feet, says Anderson. This federally authorized investment will enable safer and more ef cient access for larger vessels, improving navigation reliability and enhancing long-term cargo capacity for decades to come. Complementing this effort is ongoing container terminal expansion, including a 100-acre yard development in partnership with Ports America. The project supports the port’s ability to scale toward 1 million TEUs annually while improving overall terminal ef ciency and cargo movement. Recent equipment upgrades, including two new Post-Panamax ship- to-shore cranes, further enhance berth productivity and allow the port to service multiple large vessels simultaneously. These improvements will support increased container throughput once the new cranes enter service later in 2026, further underscoring Port Tampa Bay’s growing role in global trade. Meanwhile, Anderson reports, Port Tampa Bay is also expanding its RoRo business through targeted investments and infrastructure enhancements, strengthening its role as a key automotive gateway for Florida and the Southeast. The remarkable growth at Port Tampa Bay comes amid major challenges in the maritime/logistics industry. “The greatest challenge facing U.S. ports in the coming years is ensuring the maritime industry has the workforce and infrastructure needed to sustain
Port Everglades generates approximately $48.3 billion in economic activity and supports nearly 300,000 jobs throughout Florida, according to maritime industry analyst Martin Associates.
growth,” Anderson says. “As experienced mariners, skilled tradespeople, and logistics professionals retire, ports nationwide face a widening talent gap. At the same time, increased emphasis on domestic manufacturing and shipbuilding is driving demand for skilled labor. Meeting that demand will require greater investment in technical education, apprenticeships, and career awareness to build the next generation of maritime workers.” TAKING A PROACTIVE APPROACH Port Tampa Bay is taking on these challenges with a proactive approach that strengthens the future of the community. “At Port Tampa Bay, workforce development is a strategic priority,” Anderson says. “Through initiatives such as the Maritime Education Expo, the port is connecting students and young professionals with career opportunities across the maritime industry, including skilled trades, engineering, logistics, and business. These efforts strengthen the regional talent pipeline that supports both
port operations and Florida’s broader maritime economy.” Over the next three to ve years, U.S. ports will continue evolving as global trade patterns shift and demand for ef ciency, resilience, and sustainability increases, Anderson notes. “While workforce development and infrastructure capacity remain foundational priorities,” he says, “the focus will be on scaling innovation and aligning investment with long- term growth.” PORT EVERGLADES: OPTIMIZING ASSETS In South Florida, Port Everglades embodies the real estate/logistics maxim, “location, location, location.” Joseph Morris, the port’s CEO and port director, explains: “The port is located directly adjacent to the interstate and highways, is two miles from an international airport, and has a near-dock railway managed by Florida East Coast Railway. This allows trade to move from ship to store ef ciently. Export cargo, for example, can move quickly from truck
44 Inbound Logistics • August 2026
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