Port of Tampa prepares to reopen as Hurricane Milton clears

Tampa Bay port authority is working to restore power in the port and assess damages caused by Hurricane Milton.

MAP: The projected path of Hurricane Milton. National Hurricane Center (NHC)

“Now that Hurricane Milton has passed through the Tampa Bay region, our recovery efforts have begun. Port staff are working with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, U.S. Coast Guard and our maritime partners to assess our landside and seaside operations,” the port authority notified.

Port operations and bunkering have been suspended in Tampa Bay since Tuesday due to Hurricane Milton.

Hurricane Milton, which struck Florida’s west coast on Wednesday, has weakened and moved into the western Atlantic.

The US Coast Guard has not yet lifted port condition ZULU in several Florida ports including Port of Tampa Bay. During port condition Zulu, all vessel movements and port operations are suspended.

“We are working with our fuel terminal operators to assess their facilities and learn when they will be able to return to service,” Tampa Bay port authority said. Operations in the port will only fully resume after the US Coast Guard declares it safe to do so.

By Nithin Chandran

Please get in touch with comments or additional info to news@engine.online