LONDON: Ports America, the largest U.S. stevedore and terminal operating company and the current operator of Florida’s Port Tampa Bay Container Terminal, has signed an amended container agreement that will be valid through May 2046. In a signing ceremony on July 22, the company also agreed to a new breakbulk concession of five years, which includes two one-year extension options.
Ports America Stevedoring President Tom Perdue stressed the company’s great working relationship with the port as he signed the agreements with Port Tampa Bay CEO Paul Anderson.
“For the past 10 years, Ports America and Port Tampa Bay have enjoyed a committed, productive partnership and look forward to increasing containerized imports from vessels arriving through the newly expanded Panama Canal as well as trans-Atlantic cargo shipments,” Perdue said. “This important extended contract will bring value-added services to the local economy and the region.”
Part of the new value at the terminal is the joint purchase of two new ZPMC post-Panamax gantry cranes made in Shanghai, China, which arrived in April and assembled and tested in 60 days. These cranes have a SWL of 65 tons, are 310 feet tall and have a width reach of 21 containers across. They will supplement the facility’s existing three gantry cranes.
