- TAMPA, Fla.— Already the largest and most diversified seaport in the state of Florida, Port Tampa Bay announced the opening of a new, multi-use cargo berth at the area known as Eastport.

Historically, one of the port’s unique characteristics and strengths is its real estate holdings and the ability to grow the port’s acreage to include additional areas for cargo berths on deep water. The development at Eastport represents approximately 20 acres of man-made land that can now accommodates for additional cargo berthing activity. Port Tampa Bay is unique among most other seaports nationwide in that the port has ample land upon which to expand its working footprint, ensuring a strong capital investment and development plan well into the future.

The multipurpose cargo yard at Eastport, featuring 14-inch reinforced concrete, has been designed as an all-purpose berth and upland, capable of handling containers vessels, roll on/roll off activity and bulk materials handling—a perfect complement to the port’s diverse cargo profile and attractiveness to carriers of all types.

The first phase of the Eastport project started in 2012, and ended in 2013, with a construction investment of approximately $4.6 million, which included necessary mitigation. The second phase started in 2014, concluding in August 2016, with a total cost of approximately $21 million. Port Tampa Bay received funding from the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) at 50/50 match, so the port authority’s cost was approximately $10.5 million.

“Today is a very significant moment in Port Tampa Bay’s history and in its business development profile,” Paul Anderson, port president and CEO, said. “With these new cargo berths will come fresh import and export prospects and new partners for the state’s largest port, as well as new jobs and generational impacts that will have lasting, positive effects for our region.”