Tampa is a major logistics hub and port city in Florida, providing a strategic location for transloading services. Companies can leverage Tampa’s transportation infrastructure and warehouses to efficiently move goods between ships, trucks, and trains. Read on to explore more about transloading services available in Tampa, specifically around Port Manatee and Tampa Port.
What Are Transloading Services?
Transloading refers to transferring a shipment from one mode of transportation to another. It provides flexibility in the supply chain, allowing companies to use the unique advantages of different transportation methods.
For example, goods may arrive via ship in shipping containers. Transloading would involve unloading the containers and transferring the cargo to trucks, railcars or storage. This allows the goods to continue to inland destinations not accessible by the original ocean ship.
Benefits of Transloading in Tampa, FL
Tampa provides an ideal location for transloading services due to its major ports, extensive rail infrastructure and proximity to major highways. Key benefits include:
- Access to Port Manatee and Tampa Port – These deep water seaports provide access for ocean carriers and connections to the Midwest and Northeast via rail.
- Rail infrastructure – CSX Transportation and other rail operators have extensive reach across Tampa. Intermodal ramps allow efficient transfer from shipping containers to railcars.
- Warehousing space – There are over 58 million square feet of warehouse space in the Tampa/St. Petersburg metro area, providing capacity for transloaded goods.
- Transportation infrastructure – Major interstates including I-4 and I-75 connect Tampa to key markets across the Southeast and Eastern Seaboard.
Port Manatee and Tampa Port for Ocean Shipping
Port Manatee and Tampa Port provide ocean carrier services for containerized and bulk cargo. They offer extensive transloading services, warehousing and intermodal rail.
Port Manatee
Located in northern Tampa Bay, Port Manatee provides access to the Gulf of Mexico. It handles diverse cargoes including containers, bulk, breakbulk, automobiles and project cargo.
- Served by three on-dock intermodal rail yards, providing transloading between ships and trains
- Rail operator connections include CSX Transportation and Kansas City Southern
- 15 million square feet of storage space available
- Leading transloaded commodities include paper products, fruits & vegetables, steel and scrap metal
Tampa Port
Centrally located on Tampa Bay, Tampa Port specializes in bulk, breakbulk, liquid bulk, general cargo and ship repair. It does not handle containerized freight.
- Dockside and off-dock rail served by CSX Transportation
- Over 5 million square feet of covered storage space
- Major commodities include cement, aggregates, phosphate, steel, liquids, gypsum
Find the Right Tampa Transloading Warehouse
If you need transloading services in Tampa, the first step is finding the right warehouse partner. Key factors when evaluating third-party logistics (3PL) providers include:
- Location – Conveniently accessible to required transportation modes like highways, rail ramps or shipping terminals
- Services – Handling and value-added services like labeling, packaging, assembly or manufacturing
- Certifications – Food-grade, temperature controlled, Customs bonded and other required certifications
- Capacity – Ability to handle expected shipment sizes and volumes
- Security – Security provisions like video surveillance, access controls and guards
- Experience – Proven expertise shipping goods requiring transloading
Use our warehouse finder tool to explore the best transloading and storage facilities near Port Manatee, Tampa Port or anywhere in the city. Easily compare locations on an interactive map of Tampa.
The tool profiles leading Tampa warehouses showing real-time availability, space details and services offered. Request quotes directly from multiple facilities in minutes to compare rates. Then book directly with the chosen provider.
Leverage Tampa Transloading Services
Transloading provides flexibility to adapt transportation modes to evolving supply chain needs. Take advantage of Tampa’s logistics infrastructure to efficiently move goods into, out of and around Florida. The city offers extensive transload services from leading port and rail served warehouses.
Click here to find the best transloading warehouse near you in Tampa, FL. Compare services offered and real-time quotes to select the best match.