Cargo Handling: Port Manatee
Port Manatee Fuel Operations Expanding
Fuel operations at Port Manatee are undergoing significant expansion. The additional capacity and a long-term contract extension are expected to further increase liquid bulk cargo volumes at the port while supporting growth of RaceTrac Petroleum Inc.’s Florida presence.
An 80,000-barrel tank slated to re-enter service in mid-2017 will boost active capacity of TransMontaigne Partners L.P. at Port Manatee to 1.5 million barrels. Furthermore, TransMontaigne’s light oil contract at Port Manatee is being extended for five years from the date the tank returns to service, according to Fred Boutin, chief executive officer of the Denver-based fuel terminaling and transport firm.
"Separately, we entered into an agreement with 200,000 barrels of previously uncontracted storage capacity at our Port Manatee terminal," said Mr. Boutin, who, in a November 8 corporate earnings call, noted that TransMontaigne is investing about $2.5 million in Florida assets.
"The expanding operational capacity at Port Manatee is important to RaceTrac’s fuel transportation business," said Max McBrayer, chief supply officer for RaceTrac. "These recent improvements will allow us to deliver fuel more efficiently to our always-expanding store presence in Florida and, in particular, the more than 25 RaceTrac stores in the southwest area of the state."
In the fiscal year that ended September 30, Port Manatee received 4.5 million barrels of petroleum products, or more than three times the volume handled in FY 2014-15. "Port Manatee’s growing role as the Port of Southwest Florida gains a further boost with the expansion of operations at our regional fuel hub, with increasing liquid bulk cargo volume translating to higher port revenues as well as more high-paying jobs for our community," said Manatee County Port Authority Chairwoman Betsy Benac.
As many as 2,500 tanker trucks a month depart Port Manatee carrying fuel for delivery to retailers across Florida.
Photo/Port Manatee