As Subtropical Storm Nicole approaches Florida, media outlets, lawmakers and policymakers are encouraged to contact the Florida Maritime Partnership with questions about the American maritime industry’s efforts to prepare for the storm.
For decades, the American maritime industry has worked closely with local, state, and federal governments, shippers, suppliers, and emergency response teams so that reliable and consistent delivery of goods is achieved in times of need.
In Florida, most transportation fuel, including gasoline, diesel, and aviation fuel, is transported by American tank vessels to fuel terminals at ports around the state. When a hurricane may impact the state, the domestic maritime industry works with our partners at the state’s marine fuel terminals to ensure that shoreside facilities are at capacity before the storm.
After the storm has passed, the industry stands ready to begin discharging additional fuel cargo as soon as ports and terminals reopen. For example, in the immediate aftermath of Hurricane Ian’s landfall, 25 domestic maritime vessels called on Florida ports with 220 million gallons of fuel critical to the state’s recovery.
When a hurricane strikes, the American maritime industry:
- Works closely with government officials in emergency management to prepare and respond
- Prepositions critical supply vessels in safe positions offshore to respond strategically based on where the storm might make landfall and which communities might need immediate assistance
- Coordinates delivery of essential cargo needed in the immediate aftermath of a storm and works with relief organizations to deliver essential relief materials efficiently and quickly, such as batteries, fuel, water, and first aid materials
- Designates safe areas for equipment to ride out the storm
- Coordinates assistance with members of the U.S. military and merchant marine fleet
- Prepares maritime facilities and equipment to minimize potential storm damage
- Provides up-to-date information to members of the media, public, and potentially affected communities
Media coverage of previous response efforts:
- Fuel cargo vessels arrive at Port Tampa Bay to assist in Hurricane Ian recovery
- As Port Tampa Bay resumes normal operations, gasoline starts to pour into Florida
- Jones Act Armada Hits Florida in Irma’s Wake
About the Florida Maritime Partnership
The Florida Maritime Partnership (FMP) represents the state’s vibrant domestic maritime industry. Our diverse membership includes vessel owners and operators, shipboard and shoreside workers, shipbuilders and repair yards, equipment manufacturers and vendors, dredging and marine construction contractors, numerous maritime associations, and national security organizations that all recognize a strong domestic maritime industry is critical for America’s economic, national, and homeland security, and is best supported by maintaining the Jones Act as the foundation of America’s domestic maritime policy.
Modeled after the American Maritime Partnership (AMP), FMP promotes America’s maritime policy that any vessel transporting goods or passengers between two points in the United States or engaging in certain activities in U.S. waters must be U.S. owned, U.S. built, and U.S. crewed.
