- TAMPA, Fla. Port Logistics Refrigerated Services has begun site work for construction of a new 134,000 square foot state-of-the-art on-dock cold storage warehouse at Port Tampa Bay for the handling of refrigerated import and export cargoes.

Scheduled to open in the summer of 2017, the new facility will have over 9000 pallet positions to accommodate both chilled and frozen products, with food-grade glycol refrigerant used throughout the warehouse, and will include 96 refrigerated container plugs, as well as onsite USDA/CBP inspection and fumigation services. The facility will be located on a 13.7 acre site adjacent to Berth 219, and is designed to handle palletized breakbulk cargo, as well as refrigerated containers.

Port Logistics Refrigerated Services management has extensive expertise in all aspects of stevedoring, warehousing and terminal operations. The facility will be served with a dedicated Gottwald mobile harbor crane.

Well known Tampa developer Richard Corbett is partnering in the financing of the project on behalf of Port Logistics Refrigerated Services. Mr. Corbett is recognized for the development of the highly successful International Plaza retail center in Tampa’s Westshore business district, as well as numerous office and retail centers throughout Florida and the U.S.

“We are excited about this opportunity to partner with Port Logistics Refrigerated Services and Dick Corbett. This project supports our strategic plans for growth and diversification, as well as our recent terminal expansion investments, including the new post-Panamax container cranes which were commissioned in July,” Paul Anderson, port president and CEO, said.

The Tampa Bay/Orlando I-4 Corridor is Florida’s largest and fastest growing market and has the largest concentration of distribution centers in the State. The region is located at the heart of Florida's agriculture industry, and is home to the State's largest cluster for the food and beverage sector, with leading brands such as Publix, Sysco's International Food Group, Gordon Food Service, Walmart/Sam's Club, Winn-Dixie, Trader-Joes, Save-a-lot, Aldi, United Natural Foods, Vigo/Alessi, Goya, Mario Camacho, Southern Wine & Spirits, Break-Thru Beverage, Coca Cola/Minute Maid, Pepsico/Tropicana, Cutrale, Florida's Natural, Citrus World, Wish Farms, Tampa Juice, Bama Sea Products, Tampa Bay Fisheries, etc. all with a significant presence in the area.