As one of the first ports with a dedicated environmental program, our commitment to a healthy bay runs deep. We demonstrate daily that nature and industry can co-exist.
Natural Resources
Located on Tampa Bay, an estuary of national significance, our commitment to a healthy bay runs deep. By partnering with the Tampa Bay Estuary Program and our regional partners, we demonstrate daily that nature and industry can co-exist.
- Creation of two islands in Hillsborough Bay, where material removed from shipping channels is stored. These islands have become home to globally significant populations of nesting birds, including the American Oystercatcher and Least Tern, some of the state's rarest species.
- We continue to find innovative beneficial uses for dredge spoil materials such as the filling of a deep oxygen-poor dredge hole in McKay Bay and several ongoing beach nourishment projects.
- Our award-winning restoration projects create tidal wetlands, mangrove forests, and improve water quality and habitat.
- Unique to any Port in the Country, we own and manage of over 200 thousand acres of Sovereignty Submerged Lands in Hillsborough County, held in trust for the public. Our Submerged Lands Management program and multiple restoration projects have added to the ongoing recovery of Tampa Bay’s habitat and water quality.
Pollution Prevention
Port Tampa Bay is committed to protecting the quality of the air and water in and around the Port by continuously working with our tenants and the Port Community to minimize the impact of day to day operations.
- Conducting annual storm water inspections and hosting annual pollution prevention trainings with our staff and tenants to protect our waterways.
- Joining the “Hillsborough Trash Free Waters Partnership”, a commitment to keep out waters clean and beautiful for future generations.
- Participation in coastal clean-ups through a partnership with Keep Tampa Bay Beautiful, as well as committing to be a “Business for the Bay” through the Reduce Your Use Campaign - a partnetsrhip between Keep Tampa Bay Beautiful and the City of Tampa.
- Adoption of a “water goat” in McKay Bay, preventing thousands of pounds of float-able trash from entering Tampa Bay’s watershed.
- Reducing air emissions by the scheduling truck arrivals to reduce idling of trucks in and around port operations and the Construction of the Crosstown Connector, creating a dedicated truck lane from I-4 to the Port, reducing emissions and wear on local roads.
- Upgraded gantry cranes are electric, rather than the traditional diesel cranes. The entire Port is a designated Brownfield Redevelopment Area, and the Port has spent millions of dollars cleaning up contaminated industrial sites.
Waste Reduction
Port Tampa Bay is steering a steady course toward a sustainable future by reducing waste, conserving energy and raising our carbon consciousness.
- Creation of an internal Maritime Sustainability Team (MaST).
- Recent installation of water bottle filling stations and water dispensers at our headquarters, eliminating the cost and use of hundreds of plastic water bottles.
- Implementation of an enhanced recycling program at our offices.
- The Port conducted a detailed Energy Study resulting in significant efficiency updates to lighting, HVAC systems, and more, saving the port over $260,000 per year in energy costs.
Resiliency and Readiness
With determination, innovation and ingenuity, Port Tampa Bay is rising to the challenge of a changing climate.
- Working with local, state, federal partners, and the port community to build resiliency into our Port operations.
- On the Port Resiliency Index, developed by the Gulf of Mexico Alliance, the Port scored 95%.
- PTB is the first Port in the nation to be recognized as “Storm Ready” by the National Weather Service.
- We host an annual hurricane exercise in advance of hurricane season.
- Developing of an off-site operations center in Winter Haven, FL which allows the port to operate its vital programs in the case the Port is shut down due to an emergency.
JOC interview (at TPM'19) on IMO 2020
The International Maritime Organization (IMO) is a special agency within the United Nations that has as its assigned responsibility "the safety and security of shipping and the prevention of marine pollution by ships”. IMO 2020 refers to a regulation that goes into effect January 1, 2020 to reduce marine fuel maximum sulfur content by shipowners, marine fuel suppliers, refiners, and associated industry sectors. It represents an ongoing effort of the (IMO) to protect the environment and reduce air pollution. Last spring at the Journal of Commerce’s (JOC) Transpacific Maritime Conference (TPM), JOC’s Sr. Content Editor Allessandra Barrett sat down with Port Tampa Bay President and CEO Paul Anderson who explained IMO 2020 and talked about the possible geopolitical implications and economic/pricing factors that will likely effect cargo markets.
For questions or more information, please call Port Tampa Bay toll free at 800-741-2297 or locally at 813-905-7678 (PORT), or email us at [email protected]