Current:Home > NewsHow important is the Port of Tampa Bay? What to know as Hurricane Milton recovery beings -ValueMetric
How important is the Port of Tampa Bay? What to know as Hurricane Milton recovery beings
View
Date:2025-04-13 05:32:47
Although Tampa Bay was spared a direct hit by Hurricane Milton's eye, the area still sustained significant damage and will likely take time to recover.
For the Port of Tampa Bay, that could mean a prolonged period of closure, depending on the exact state of the port.
The Port of Tampa Bay was not immediately able to provide an assessment of damage to USA TODAY.
Still, as the 24th largest port in the country, and one of the largest importers and exporters of certain industrial products, a closure could hit some industries especially hard.
“A prolonged closure would certainly be challenging to the local economy, especially for Floridians who are short on gasoline right now," Jason Miller, a professor of supply chain management at Eli Broad College of Business at Michigan State University, told USA TODAY. "Even if there is no damage (to the port's facilities), there probably will be some challenges getting that gasoline to inland stations” because there is widespread damage and debris on the roads.
Here's what to know about the Port of Tampa.
How big is the Port of Tampa Bay?
The Port of Tampa is the 24th largest port in the U.S. According to the port operator, it serves an area with a population of 8 million and more than 20 million visitors annually. Overall, Florida ports are responsible for handling many exports to Latin America and imports from Asia.
What are the Port of Tampa Bay's main exports?
The Port of Tampa Bay is a major exporter of fertilizer and related products, as well as certain food products. According to Census Bureau trade data, about 99% of fertilizer produced in the U.S for export moves through the Port of Tampa. If those facilities are damaged, Miller said, it could be especially difficult for the fertilizer industry.
“You can usually assume if a port is accounting for 90% of a total of something, it’s not going to be the easiest to reroute, especially on the export side," he said.
What are the Port of Tampa Bay's main imports?
Industrial products also account for a majority of the port's imports, with 96% of imported sulfur in the U.S. moving through Tampa.
Food products, including orange juice, is also a major import through Tampa Bay.
How important is the Port of Tampa Bay to the US economy?
According to Miller and the Federal Reserve Production Index, fertilizer production represents 0.42% of the manufacturing economy in the U.S., so while a prolonged closure would likely not have a huge impact nationally it would still affect the local economy significantly, as well as the agricultural sector. The port also hosts five cruise lines that run itineraries ranging from four to 14 days.
“In terms of importance for the overall economy, not that, that, that large, but that doesn’t mean it doesn’t have an impact on farmers who need fertilizer," Miller said. "The big thing is we’re just waiting to see for this specific case what the damage assessment is with the port. Hopefully, that is minimal, and operations can resume as fast as possible."
Zach Wichter is a travel reporter for USA TODAY based in New York. You can reach him at zwichter@usatoday.com.
veryGood! (43)
Related
- Connie Chiume, Black Panther Actress, Dead at 72: Lupita Nyong'o and More Pay Tribute
- Evacuation orders lifted for some Arizona residents forced from their homes days ago by a wildfire
- Boeing announces purchase of Spirit AeroSystems for $4.7 billion in stock
- Why Eric Dane Thinks He Was Fired From Grey’s Anatomy
- Chuck Scarborough signs off: Hoda Kotb, Al Roker tribute legendary New York anchor
- UFC 303 live results: Alex Pereira vs. Jiri Prochazka fight card highlights, how to stream
- Inside the Real Love Lives of Bridgerton Stars
- Gathering of 10,000 hippies in forest shut down as Rainbow Family threatened with jail
- Vance jokes he’s checking out his future VP plane while overlapping with Harris at Wisconsin airport
- This pink blob with beady eyes is a humanoid robot with living skin
Ranking
- Connie Chiume, Black Panther Actress, Dead at 72: Lupita Nyong'o and More Pay Tribute
- Cannibals, swingers and Emma Stone: Let's unpack 'Kinds of Kindness'
- Street medicine teams search for homeless people to deliver lifesaving IV hydration in extreme heat
- To Save the Amazon, What if We Listened to Those Living Within It?
- Tropical weather brings record rainfall. Experts share how to stay safe in floods.
- Sophia Bush and Ashlyn Harris Mark the End of First Pride Month as a Couple in an Adorable Way
- How will Louisiana’s new Ten Commandments classroom requirement be funded and enforced?
- Man recovering from shark bite on the Florida coast in state’s third attack in a month
Recommendation
House passes bill to add 66 new federal judgeships, but prospects murky after Biden veto threat
LeBron James to free agency after declining Los Angeles Lakers contract option
Outback Steakhouse offers free Bloomin' Onion to customers: How to get the freebie today
Houston LGBT+ Pride Festival and Parade 2024: Route, date, time and where to watch events
Sam Taylor
UFC 303 live results: Alex Pereira vs. Jiri Prochazka fight card highlights, how to stream
Simone Biles leads at US Olympic trials, but shaky beam routine gets her fired up
Usher's Sweet Tribute to Fatherhood at 2024 BET Awards Got Us Fallin' in Love