2012 Port of Tampa Steel Conference speakers (l to r): David Hodory, vice president, marketing and communications, The David J. Joseph Company; Lawrence Kavanagh, president, Steel Market Development Institute; David Phelps (moderator), president, American Institute for International Steel; Walter Kemmsies, chief economist, Moffat & Nichol; Timna Tanners, U.S. metals and mining analyst, Bank of America Merrill Lynch Global Research. (photo by Andy Fobes)

TAMPA, Fla.— Nearly 250 port and steel industry professionals from across North America gathered in Tampa this week for a glimpse into the future of the steel trade and an overview of the state of the global economy.

Illustration showing refurbishment and modernization of the Port of Tampa’s primary terminal complex for petroleum products. Governor Rick Scott and Port Director & CEO, Richard Wainio.

TAMPA—The Tampa Port Authority is pleased to announce that it has received $22.5 million in state funds toward the modernization and expansion of its primary petroleum terminal complex. Governor Scott announced today the allocation of these funds, through the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT), as part of his commitment to strategic investment in Florida seaports and trade development.

Photos (L to R): Atlantic RoRo Carriers m/v Baltic Mercur loads cargoes at the Port of Tampa. Vessel Captain Vicktor Astafev accepts a commemorative plaque from Wade Elliott, senior director of marketing, Tampa Port Authority. A heavy equipment work vehicle drives up the ramp into m/v Baltic Mercur, a multi-purpose cargo ship. (photos by Andy Fobes)

TAMPA—The Tampa Port Authority (TPA) is pleased to announce the first vessel call of Atlantic Ro-Ro Carriers’ m/v Baltic Mercur, a multi-purpose cargo ship that signified the launch of a new general cargo service between the Port of Tampa and Saint Petersburg, Russia.

(L) Rodolfo Sabonge, vice president of market research and analysis, Panama Canal Authority, delivers an update on the Panama Canal expansion, alongside Richard Wainio, port director and chief executive, Tampa Port Authority. (photo by Andy Fobes)(R) Kurt Nagle, president, American Association of Port Authorities, presents a plaque of appreciation for hosting the Shifting International Trade Routes conference to port director Richard Wainio. (photo by Paul Scott Abbott)

TAMPA— The Tampa Port Authority (TPA) hosted a very successful and well-attended fifth annual Shifting International Trade Routes , on Jan. 19-20, 2012, presented by the American Association of Port Authorities’ (AAPA) , and the U.S. Maritime Administration (MARAD). The 1 ½ -day workshop included presentations by leading industry experts in fields such as international trade, economics, port management and transportation logistics.

The Port of Tampa has strong trade activity with the countries of Latin America. As the port authority develops and grows container and cargo capacity, strong trade partner relationships and joint marketing efforts will become increasingly important, particularly with the coming expansion of the Panama Canal. The signing, by Richard Wainio, Tampa’s port director and CEO, and Lic. Allan Hidalgo Campos, executive president of JAPDEVA, took place today at the port authority’s administrative headquarters.

TAMPA, Fla.—The Tampa Port Authority is pleased to announce today’s signing of a sister port agreement with Board of Port Administration and Economic Development of the Atlantic (JAPDEVA), which essentially strengthens commercial relationships between the two entities and encourages shared trade and marketing initiatives.

Graphic depicts the location of 110 acres to be purchased by the Tampa Port Authority for future cargo and related developments (outlined in green), at the Port Redwing location of the Port of Tampa.

TAMPA, Fla.—The Tampa Port Authority is pleased to announce that it will purchase 110 acres for cargo and other maritime purposes, near its Port Redwing facilities, in south Hillsborough County.

TAMPA, Fla.—The Tampa Port Authority is pleased to announce that the ratings firm of Standard & Poor’s (S&P) Ratings Services has reaffirmed the authority’s credit rating of A- and has provided the authority with a “Stable” outlook. The S&P rating marks the third credit affirmation and “Stable” outlook rating received by the authority in the last 12 months. In December 2011, Moody’s Investor Service and, in March 2011, Fitch Ratings, also affirmed the authority’s credit rating and also provided “Stable” outlooks. .

Pictured: Richard Wainio, port director and CEO, Tampa Port Authority; Wanda Felton, First VP, Export-Import Bank of the United States; Scott Schloegel, Senior VP for Congressional Affairs, also with Ex-Im Bank. (photo by A. Fobes)

TAMPA, Fla.—The Tampa Port Authority was pleased to host the First Vice President and Vice Chair of the Export-Import (Ex-Im) Bank of the United States, Wanda Felton, for a luncheon and roundtable discussion today with a diverse group of approximately 25 business leaders from the Tampa region’s international trade community.

TAMPA— The Tampa Port Authority (TPA) is pleased to announce that it will host the fifth annual Shifting International Trade Routes on Jan. 19-20, 2012, presented by the American Association of Port Authorities’ (AAPA) , and the U.S. Maritime Administration (MARAD). The 1 ½ -day workshop will include presentations by leading industry experts in the field of international trade and transportation.

Florida Governor Rick Scott announced Wednesday his reappointment of William “Hoe” Brown (left) to another term on the Tampa Port Authority board.

TAMPA, Fla.— Governor Rick Scott announced Wednesday the reappointment of William “Hoe” Brown to the Tampa Port Authority’s seven-member board of commissioners.

MIAMI (December 12, 2011) – Carnival Cruise Lines’ 2,052-passenger Carnival Paradise arrived this morning in Tampa following a 14-day Panama Canal cruise and will sail on its inaugural cruise from the port later this afternoon.

TAMPA, Fla.—The Tampa Port Authority (TPA) is pleased to announce that Moody’s Investor Service has affirmed an ‘A2’ rating of the port authority’s outstanding revenue bonds and have also provided the port authority with a Ratings Outlook of “Stable”. The Moody’s rating comes on the heels of Fitch Ratings’ equivalent credit affirmation and “stable” outlook received by the TPA in March 2011.

TAMPA, Fla.— The Tampa Port Authority is pleased to announce that Stephen W. Swindal, 57, was reappointed Wednesday to the Tampa Port Authority by Gov. Rick Scott, subject to confirmation by the Florida Senate. Swindal is chairman of Marine Towing of Tampa and co-owner and operator of Swindal International LLC. Among his community involvements, he is a member of the Propeller Club—Port of Tampa and a board member of the Salvation Army’s Tampa Chapter. Swindal's new term ends Feb. 6, 2016. He was first named to the board in 2008 by former Gov. Charlie Crist.

TAMPA—The Tampa Port Authority (TPA) is pleased to welcome the announcement by Atlantic Ro-Ro Carriers that it will launch a new multipurpose general cargo service between the Port of Tampa and Saint Petersburg, Russia. The service will begin with the arrival of Atlantic Ro-Ro Carriers’ vessel M/V Baltic Mercur at the Port of Tampa on January 14^th, 2012. The service will operate on a monthly frequency using highly versatile ships, capable of carrying break bulk cargoes such as steel, as well as containers, roll-on/roll-off traffic, project cargoes, and bulk commodities.

Three cruise ships docked at the Port of Tampa, November 20, 2011.

TAMPA— The Port of Tampa set a single-day record for passenger throughput on Sunday, November 20, when an estimated 12,623 passengers embarked and disembarked on three cruise ships, making it the single busiest day on record at the nation’s eighth-largest cruise port.

NOTICE OF FINAL AGENCY ACTION BY THE SOUTHWEST FLORIDA WATER MANAGEMENT DISTRICT

Notice is given that the Southwest Florida Water Management District’s (District) Final Agency Action is approval of the application for an Environmental Resource Permit to serve a new roadway activity on 32.49 acres known as Port Redwing Road.