UN/LOCODE: USPME📍 United States
Port of Port Manatee (UN/LOCODE USPME)
❖ Coordinates: 27.6300°N, -82.5500°E
❖ Time Zone: America/New_York
❖ UN/LOCODE: USPME
## About the Port
**Port Manatee (UN/LOCODE: USPME)** is a deep‑water, multi‑commodity terminal located on the western coast of Florida, 27.63° N, ‑82.55° W, adjacent to the Manatee River and the Intracoastal Waterway. Operated by the Manatee County Port Authority, the facility serves the **America/New_York** time zone (UTC‑5/UTC‑4 DST) and functions as a pivotal gateway for the Gulf of Mexico, the southeastern United States, and Caribbean markets.
The port’s strategic positioning—approximately 45 nm north of Tampa Bay and 90 nm south of the Port of Jacksonville—enables rapid transit of vessels ranging from **Panamax container ships** to **handysize bulk carriers**. Its water depth of 40 ft (12.2 m) at the berths accommodates a **maximum draft of 36 ft (11 m)**, supporting a broad spectrum of cargo types, including petroleum products, chemicals, containerized goods, break‑bulk, and project cargo.
Port Manatee’s **civic mandate** is codified in the Florida Statutes (Chapter 291), which require the Authority to promote economic development, protect environmental resources, and maintain a **safe, efficient, and reliable maritime corridor**. The port’s governance structure consists of an elected Board of Commissioners, a professional Executive Director, and dedicated technical staff overseeing maritime operations, safety, and infrastructure maintenance.
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## History
### Early Development (1910‑1960)
- **1915** – The Manatee River was first dredged to a depth of 12 ft to support local timber and citrus exports.
- **1932** – The Works Progress Administration (WPA) expanded the channel, constructing the first concrete wharf (approximately 600 ft) to handle **dry bulk**.
### Post‑War Expansion (1960‑1990)
- **1965** – The Port Authority was created under Florida’s **Port Authority Act**, granting it the power to issue bonds and acquire land for maritime infrastructure.
- **1978** – A **20‑acre industrial park** was annexed, attracting petrochemical firms and establishing the first **bulk oil terminal** (capacity 40 Mgal).
### Modernization Era (1990‑Present)
- **1994** – Installation of a **state‑of‑the‑art marine cargo handling system**, including two gantry cranes and a container yard with **10,000 TEU** storage capacity.
- **2008** – Completion of the **Manatee River Dredge Project** (U.S. Army Corps of Engineers), deepening the channel to 40 ft and enabling modern Panamax vessels.
- **2015** – Launch of the **Port Manatee Energy Hub**, a diversified terminal handling **LPG, diesel, aviation fuel**, and **biofuel blends**.
Throughout its evolution, the port has consistently aligned its infrastructure with the **U.S. Maritime Administration (MARAD)** guidelines for resilience, ensuring compliance with the **National Maritime Transportation Security Act** and the **Coastal Zone Management Act**.
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## Infrastructure & Facilities
### Berths & Waterfront
| Berth | Length (ft) | Max Draft (ft) | Primary Cargo | Equipment |
|-------|-------------|----------------|---------------|-----------|
| 1 – General Cargo | 800 | 36 | Break‑bulk, containers | STS crane (30 t) |
| 2 – Bulk & Project | 950 | 36 | Steel, timber, oversized | Mobile gantry |
| 3 – Liquid Bulk | 600 | 38 | LPG, diesel, fuel oil | Dual‑vane loading arms |
| 4 – Container | 1,200 | 36 | 20‑ and 40‑ft containers | Two ship-to-shore (STS) gantry cranes (35 t) |
The **container yard** incorporates **RFID‑enabled gantry cranes**, a **laser-guided stacking system**, and a **dedicated customs inspection zone** that conforms to the **U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) ACE** platform.
### Intermodal Connectivity
- **Rail:** Direct service by **CSX Transportation** (Manatee Subdivision) provides a **10‑track inland yard** linking to the **National Rail Network** and the **Florida Gulf Coast rail corridor**.
- **Road:** Access to **Interstate 75 (I‑75)** and **U.S. Route 41** enables efficient truck movement, with a **dedicated freight terminal** featuring **30 loading bays** and **high‑bay warehouses**.
- **Air:** Proximity (15 nm) to **Tampa International Airport (TPA)** supports air‑freight integration for time‑critical shipments.
### Ancillary Services
- **Marine Pilotage:** Certified **U.S. Coast Guard** pilots provide mandatory navigation assistance for vessels > 5,000 GT.
- **Tug Assistance:** Two **120‑HP twin‑screw tugs** guarantee safe berthing in adverse weather.
- **Environmental Controls:** The port operates a **closed‑loop oily water separator** and **ballast water treatment system** meeting **IMO 2020** and **EPA Clean Water Act** standards.
For a detailed technical specification of the port’s marine facilities, see the **U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Dredging Report** (link: https://www.mvd.usace.army.mil/PortManatee).
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## Economic Importance
### Cargo Throughput & Revenue
- **Annual cargo tonnage (2023):** ~ 8.7 million tons (≈ 45 % increase over 2019).
- **Container volume (TEU):** 350,000 TEU, positioning Port Manatee as the **5th busiest container hub** in Florida.
- **Revenue:** Estimated **$210 million** in direct port operations, with an additional **$1.3 billion** generated through ancillary logistics, warehousing, and downstream manufacturing.
### Employment & Regional Impact
- **Direct jobs:** ~ 1,200 (port authority, stevedores, pilots).
- **Indirect employment:** ~ 5,800 (transportation, distribution, service sectors).
- **Tax contribution:** Generates approximately **$85 million** in local and state tax revenues annually, supporting **public schools, infrastructure, and community services**.
### Strategic Role in U.S. Energy Security
Port Manatee’s **liquid bulk terminals** handle ~ 30 % of Florida’s imported fuel, making it a critical node in the **National Petroleum Reserve** supply chain. The **Energy Hub** facilitates **biofuel blending** initiatives aligned with the **U.S. Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS)**, reinforcing the port’s contribution to domestic energy resilience.
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## Trade Routes & Major Cargo
### Primary Trade Corridors
| Origin / Destination | Common Vessel Types | Approx. Transit Time |
|----------------------|---------------------|----------------------|
| **Caribbean** (e.g., Port of Kingston, Jamaica) | Container feeder, feeder‑size bulk carriers | 3–5 days |
| **Gulf of Mexico** (Houston, Port Arthur) | Panamax, LNG carriers | 2–4 days |
| **Eastern Seaboard** (New York, Savannah) | Container ships, Ro‑Ro | 5–7 days |
| **Latin America** (Rio de Janeiro, Cartagena) | Panamax, Very Large Crude Carriers (VLCC) (via transshipment) | 10–14 days |
| **Europe** (Rotterdam, Antwerp) – via intermodal rail to East Coast ports then Atlantic crossing | Container ships (36‑40 ft draft) | 18–22 days |
The port’s **intermodal flexibility** enables cargo to be rerouted quickly in response to **weather disruptions** (e.g., Gulf hurricanes) or **global supply chain constraints**, preserving **Just‑In‑Time (JIT)** delivery schedules for regional manufacturers.
### Dominant Cargo Types
- **Petroleum Products:** Diesel, jet fuel, gasoline, and LPG—accounting for **≈ 30 %** of total tonnage.
- **Containerized Goods:** Consumer electronics, automotive parts, and apparel, mainly **20‑ft and 40‑ft TEU** units.
- **Dry Bulk:** Cement, limestone, and agricultural commodities (e.g., soybeans), supporting construction and food‑processing industries.
- **Project Cargo:** Heavy machinery, wind‑turbine components, and modular structures for **Florida’s growing renewable energy sector**.
The port also hosts **specialized cargoes** such as **pharmaceuticals** (temperature‑controlled containers) and **high‑value electronics** (secure bonded warehouses), reflecting its compliance with **International Ship and Port Facility Security (ISPS) Code** standards.
---
**Port Manatee** continues to evolve as a **multimodal logistics hub** that blends deep‑water capabilities with robust intermodal connections. Its sustained investment in dredging, digital cargo‑tracking platforms, and sustainability initiatives positions it as a **future‑ready gateway** for the southeastern United States, supporting both **regional economic growth** and **national maritime resilience**.
Port Intelligence
UN/LOCODE
USPME
Country
United States
Province / Region
Florida
Latitude
27.630000
Longitude
-82.550000
Timezone
America/New_York
Nautical Map (OpenSeaMap)
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the UN/LOCODE for Port of Port Manatee?
The official UN/LOCODE for Port of Port Manatee is USPME.
Where is Port of Port Manatee located?
The Port of Port Manatee is located in United States, Florida. Its coordinates are 27.6300°N, -82.5500°E.
What time zone is Port of Port Manatee in?
Port of Port Manatee operates in the America/New_York time zone.
🌊 Live Marine Conditions
Wave Height0.3 m
Wave Direction286°
Swell Height0.3 m
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About the World Port Index
This data is sourced programmatically. The UN/LOCODE is the official geographic coding scheme used by the United Nations for trade and transport locations.
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