Port Approves New Terminal Operator

The Tampa Port Authority on May 16 approved P&O Ports Florida Inc.'s application for a license to perform local terminal and stevedore operations by a 6-0 vote. A national uproar erupted over the prospects of a Middle Eastern company controlling certain U.S. terminal operations. That led to Dubai Ports agreeing to sell its U.S. business to an American owner. A deal is in the works, but in the meantime P&O Florida functions independent of its owner, TMCnet reported. The port continued to review details of a bill the Florida Legislature approved that would revise state guidelines for seaport security. Gov. Jeb Bush is expected to sign the bill into law. The new law would give ports more responsibility for formulating their security plans, which means the port would gain a new task in completing quarterly threat assessments. (Source: TMCnet)