Port Logistics to develop new cold storage facility at Port Tampa Bay

Port Tampa Bay's board last week approved a 27-year lease agreement with Port Logistics Tampa Bay I Inc. to develop a 130,000-square-foot on-dock cold storage facility to handle refrigerated imports and exports.

Rail access to the cold storage facility will be integrated in phases, according to port spokesman Andrew Forbes. The port is served by CSX Corp.

Using "innovative" racking systems, the initial projected throughput for the facility is expected to be 400,000 or more pallets per year, according to a port press release. Port Logistics intends to seek 360-degree Quality Supply Chain Certification.

The agreement with Port Logistics represents the kind of public-private partnerships that support the port’s strategy for growth and diversification, Raul Alfonso, the port’s executive vice president and chief commercial officer, said in a press release.

"We share Port Tampa Bay's vision to provide a faster, fresher and better supply chain solution to importers and exporters of refrigerated products," said Allen Huie, Port Logistics’ president and co-founder.

The port has been investing in terminal expansion projects, including new port-Panamax container gantry cranes that will be delivered in early 2016.