Port Tampa Bay has resumed vessel operations and our port’s shipping channels are officially re-opened, with vessel movements restricted to daylight hours. Throughout the storm, Port Tampa Bay coordinated with federal, state, and local agencies, as well as the maritime community, to respond to the impacts of Hurricane Helene.

In coordination with the Port Heavy Weather Advisory Group, and following detailed assessments of the port, waterways, and channels, the U.S. Coast Guard has reopened the port and set the port condition to normal, with restrictions. Our hope is that the port's shipping channels will be functional at their full depths shortly. Port staff fully assessed the docks, wharfs, and terminals for safety. Commercial vessel traffic is again being queued for a return to full operations at the port, meaning we are open for business. Some of the first vessels to return will be fuel tankers, cruise ships and vessels carrying perishable cargo.

There will be changes to the following cruise schedules: Carnival Paradise, Royal Caribbean Serenade of the Seas, Royal Caribbean Grandeur of the Seas, Royal Caribbean Enchantment of the Seas and Margaritaville at Sea Islander. If you have any questions about a specific sailing, we recommend you contact your cruise line directly as all changes to itineraries will be communicated by your cruise line. The customer service lines for the impacted cruise lines are: 

• Carnival Cruise Line: 1-800-764-7419
• Margaritaville at Sea: 1-800-814-7100
• Royal Caribbean International: 1-800-256-6649

 

During the storm, the port’s landside operations remained open to ensure the smooth and steady delivery of fuel to residents and visitors of the state. Port Tampa Bay supplies nearly half of Florida’s gas, fuel, and petroleum supply and we play a critical role in Hurricane preparation and recovery.  

We want to express our sincere appreciation to those who helped our port prepare and recover from the impact of the storm. The port’s Operations, Security, Facilities and Engineering staff, maritime community, the U.S. Coast Guard, and our local law enforcement and emergency response agencies were critical to our ability to minimize the effects of the storm and help our port to return to operations as soon as safely possible.  Our thoughts and prayers are with everyone who was impacted by Hurricane Helene.

Port Tampa Bay is working with the U. S. Coast Guard, U.S Army Corps of Engineers and port partners to begin surveying our shipping channels. Once the survey is complete, we will have a better idea of when the waterside operations of our port can resume. We will communicate information as soon as it becomes available. Please check back for any updates.

UPDATED WEDNESDAY, SEPT. 25 AT 8:15 P.M.

Port Tampa Bay is working with the National Weather Service, U. S. Coast Guard and state and local partners to monitor the potential impact of Hurricane Helene in the Gulf. As always, the Port’s priorities are safety of life, protection of the environment, and maritime commerce resiliency. 

The Tampa Bay port community has initiated the Port Heavy Weather Advisory Group, which closely monitors impacts to the port and waterways, engages with the U.S. Coast Guard and various operators that make up the local maritime community, and makes recommendations to the Coast Guard on Hurricane Port Conditions. At 8 p.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 25, the U.S. Coast Guard set Port Condition ZULU, meaning the possibility of gale force winds could impact our maritime operations within 12 hours. Inbound and outbound vessel traffic to our port has ceased. The port's shipping channels have closed, but landside operations will continue as long as safely possible.  

The storm will have an impact to our cruise schedule. If you have any questions about a specific sailing, we recommend you contact your cruise line directly as all changes to itineraries will be communicated by your cruise line. The customer service lines for cruise lines sailing from Port Tampa Bay this week are: 

We will work with our fuel terminal operators and partners to ensure gas and other fuels move out of our port and to consumers as long as possible. Additionally, port staff will continue to work round-the-clock so we can re-open to full operations as soon as safely possible to support the community and region we serve.

Port Tampa Bay is doing all it can to prepare for Hurricane Helene, and to ensure safety of life, protection of the environment, and maritime commerce resiliency.

All storm-related updates will be posted at www.porttb.com.