Port Manatee, located in northern Manatee County in Florida, has reached an agreement with Regional Rail LLC to operate its short-line railroad until at least 2036 but possibly extending through to 2051.
As per the agreement, Port Manatee Railroad LLC will be operated as a subsidiary of Kennett Square, Pennsylvania-based Regional Rail.
The railroad at the port began operation in 1970 and encompasses over 7 miles of tracks directly connected with the mainline of Jacksonville, Florida-based CSX Transportation. The railroad also operates a pair of energy-efficient locomotives and can offer enough capacity to accommodate 300 railcars.
“Port Manatee, as central and southwest Florida’s preferred gateway for global commerce, enthusiastically welcomes this new, mutually beneficial relationship with Regional Rail,” said Reggie Bellamy, Chairman of the Manatee County Port Authority. “We anticipate enjoying many years of synergistic growth.”
Al Sauer, President and Chief Executive Officer of Regional Rail, added “We are very proud and excited to have been chosen to be the new operator for the rail infrastructure within Port Manatee. This operation is in close proximity to our existing Florida railroads, and we are looking forward to working with Port Manatee and with CSX to strengthen and expand the rail service offerings to existing customers within Port Manatee and to attract new business to the port.”
This agreement is effective from 1 December 2021.
This comes after the news that LOGISTEC USA Inc. has ordered two new eco-efficient Konecranes Gottwald Generation 6 Mobile Harbour cranes to help reduce its marine carbon footprint and enhance container handling at its container terminal within the port.
The order for this new machinery was booked in August 2021 and comes as the terminal anticipates increase levels of traffic. Delivery is scheduled to be completed by February 2022.
