By Sea

Port Manatee is one of Florida's fastest growing deepwater seaports, handling more than 9.4 million tons of cargo in FY2006. Located at the mouth of Tampa Bay in northern Manatee County, Port Manatee is the closest U.S. deepwater seaport to the Panama Canal making it a logical hub for trade with booming Pacific Rim markets and an ideal gateway to Mexico, Central and South America and the Caribbean basin.

Port Manatee's 1,100-acre facility provides convenient access to three interstate highways, three international airports and more than 4 million Tampa Bay-area residents. The port contributes more than $2.3 billion in annual economic impact to Manatee County and supports nearly 23,000 jobs.

Port Manatee's intermodal advantages have allowed it to become the Southeast's largest destination for imported forestry products while maintaining its status as Fresh Del Monte Produce's second-largest U.S. terminal operation. The port supplies a wide range of construction-related products including steel, cement, aggregate, asphalt, aluminum and drywall. It also has a sweeping range of imported and exported bulk commodities including natural gas, oil and Bunker C fuel for power companies and concentrated and not-from-concentrate citrus juices.

Port Manatee is designated Foreign Trade Zone #169, enabling international shippers and manufacturers to benefit from lucrative tariff advantages.