While most Florida ports struggle, two in the region shine

Florida’s seaports took something of a COVID-19 connected dive in total trade cargo handled in 2020. But the two biggest ports on the state’s west coast, in Hillsborough and Manatee counties, actually posted strong years.

The state’s $117 billion maritime trade industry had an overall decline of $14.1 billion in 2020 over 2019, according to a Florida Seaports Transportation & Economic Development Council report — a drop of 16.1%. Cargo tonnage moving through Florida’s 15 seaports dropped 8.4%, while imports fell 13.8% and exports fell 20%. The report, “Seaport Mission Plan: Navigating Beyond the Pandemic,” is an annual update required by lawmakers, according to the Center Square Florida, a Tallahassee-based news site.