Functions and activities include:

• Operate the Cooperative Vessel Traffic Service (CVTS) along with the U.S. Coast Guard Sector St. Petersburg to contact, inform and advise commercial vessels moving in Tampa Bay to ensure safe vessel movements and navigational safety.
• Supervises the operations of the port concession operator (Ports America) for contract compliance and performance in all aspect of service on the Tampa Port Authority terminals including berth assignments, cargo operations and terminal and warehouse operations.
• Establish policies, procedures and guidelines for the assignment and effective utilization of Tampa Port Authority owned public berths.
• Interpret, explain and enforce regulations and rules on utilization of port facilities and cargo operations.
• Coordinate with terminal operators, stevedores, shippers, ship agents and local, state and federal authorities on an as needed basis to respond to customers needs, resolve disputes and interpret policies and regulations.
• Evaluate, interpret and apply Port Tariff and tenant lease agreement charges to vessels and tenant throughput and process revenue information for initial billing to the Finance Department.
• Manage the vessel management program including data entry and quality control of information needed for vessel billing in accordance with the Port Tariff
• Participate in the Executive Committee of the Tampa Bay Harbor Safety and Security Committee to discuss and resolve issues of mutual interest to the stakeholders in the port community especially in the areas of navigational safety and port security.
• Manage the operation of Port Authority owned cruise terminal facilities in compliance with federal, state, local and Port Authority rules and regulations.
• Maintains a wharfinger department to report on port cargo transitions and recording as well as damages and repairs to Tampa Port authority property and interests.
• Direct and manage the operations of the parking garage and other related activities.
• Manage the personnel manning and operations of the Tampa Port Authority truck scale.

24 Hour Contact Information: The Operations Department is manned 24 hours per day, 7 days per week by the on duty Operations Officer in the CVTS who can be contacted at phone (813) 241-1886 or at a collective email address: tampavtis@tampaport.com

Operations Department fax number is (813) 241-1810

Truck Scale hours Monday - Friday 7:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.: (813) 241-1710

If you have questions about any of the subject matter areas listed below, please call the following personnel or offices at the phone number indicated:

• Vessel berth requests, assignments or locations of vessels within the Port of Tampa: Operations Officer on duty in the CVTS at (813) 241-1886
• Specific cargo in a certain container or on a certain vessel coming to Tampa: U.S. Customs & Border Protection Officer on Duty at phone (813) 712-6000 and select option 12.
• Port maintenance dredging: Ed Bugel of Tampa Port Authority Engineering at (813) 905-5003 or Larry Bagby, the Operations Superintendent, at (813) 241-1802
• Cruise information: See our Cruise section for schedule, cruise line phone numbers, websites and parking information.

Tampa Cooperative Safety Initiative (TCSI)

In addition, the Port Authority, Tampa Bay International Terminals and Ports America developed the Tampa Cooperative Safety Initiative to increase the safety awareness in the Port of Tampa. The concept was initially developed locally in order to augment and to coincide with safety initiatives mandated by Ports America-Tampa in all of their terminals as well as safety practices of other Florida based terminals. This program is innovative in the State of Florida as it provides a plan and safety requirements that all members of the organization agree to comply with at all times. These members include the port authority, Ports America, trucking companies, oil terminals, surveyors, shipping lines, shipping agents, line handling companies, bulk terminals, railroad companies and many other related companies with a stake in the port. It was clear that there were aspects which when introduced to all port users, would be a long term benefit to all members.