Port Manatee in Florida has reached an agreement with Regional Rail LLC for the operation of Manatee port-owned short-line railroad through at least 2036, with options through 2051.
Under the agreement, which will take effect on 1 December, Port Manatee Railroad LLC will be operated as a subsidiary of Pennsylvania-based company, Regional Rail, which already operates seven other short-line railroads in the United States, including three in Florida with more than 885 km of track in total.
Port Manatee Railroad, which began operation the same year the seaport opened for business, in 1970, encompasses more than 11km of tracks directly connecting with a mainline of the freight transportation company CSX.
It also operates two energy-efficient diesel-electric locomotives and offers capacity to accommodate 300 railcars, according to a statement.
“Port Manatee is experiencing record growth, including a 53.3% rise in containerised cargo trade for the fiscal year ended on 30 September, while reaching an all-time high in total cargo tonnage,” said Port Manatee’s executive director, Carlos Buqueras, who went on to point out that the port envisions collaborating with Regional Rail in increasing rail usage for current seaport customers and expanding rail service options to attract new customers and commodities to the Floridan port.
In addition, Al Sauer, the president and chief executive officer of Regional Rail, commented, “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.”
