Fuel Supply Resumes from SeaPort Manatee, Serving Hurricane Milton-Stricken Region

PALMETTO, Florida – Fuel distribution has resumed from SeaPort Manatee, bringing relief to Southwest and Central Florida after Hurricane Milton’s Oct. 9 landfall. With cooperative efforts from local, state, and federal authorities, as well as industry partners, fuel has begun flowing from the seaport to the region, restoring a crucial supply line amid ongoing recovery efforts.

SeaPort Manatee, a major gateway for fuel distribution, has resumed limited landside and daylight waterside cargo operations, allowing for essential fuel and cargo transport. Power restoration at the seaport and coordinated action by the U.S. Coast Guard to permit daylight-only shipping operations have been instrumental in this effort. Cargo movement remains restricted to a single direction in the shipping channel as operations cautiously ramp up.

Serving as the nearest deepwater port to the expanded Panama Canal, SeaPort Manatee plays a vital role in supplying fuel to the local region and beyond, typically handling nearly 400 million gallons annually. The resumption of fuel supply is timely as the region endures impacts from two hurricanes in quick succession, making uninterrupted fuel delivery crucial for recovery.

The Port of Tampa, another key seaport in the region, has been facing significant operational challenges since Hurricane Milton. Power outages and infrastructure damage have hampered its recovery, limiting its capacity to serve its usual cargo and fuel demands. These difficulties underscore the importance of SeaPort Manatee’s operational resumption, which is now picking up the slack to alleviate shortages and ensure stability for fuel supplies across the impacted areas.

As a major economic force in the region, SeaPort Manatee supports more than 37,000 direct and indirect jobs and generates over $5.1 billion in annual economic impact, all without relying on local property tax funding. With its strategic location at the meeting point of Tampa Bay and the Gulf of Mexico, the port is well-positioned to help Southwest and Central Florida rebuild, providing essential goods and fueling economic activity as recovery efforts continue.