Source: Gulf Shipper, 2-11-02, "Tampa Zeroes In On Mexico Trade" by Mike Petrovsky.

In an article published in the February 11th, 2002 edition of Gulf Shipper, reporter Mike Petrovsky relayed important aspects of a recent interview with Gulf of Mexico States Accord Secretary-General Gary Springer. The interview focused on current negotiations conducted by Springer with Florida cattle producers. As the article reports, Springer, acting on behalf of GoMSA is trying to convince leaders in the Florida cattle industry to startshipping beef across the Gulf of Mexico in order to reach the important Mexican market. Presently, 60 to 65 percent of the cattle going from the U.S. to Mexico is transported overland through Texas. But Springer argues that shipping beef instead would greatly reduce costs and time of delivery. The predominant practice of transporting cattle overland by truck or rail has always been relatively slow. But recent increases in the security of the U.S.-Mexican land border after the September 11th terrorist attacks has slowed the process even further. Now, as Springer points out, shipping cattle to Mexico through a large Gulf port, such as the Port of Tampa, could reduce delivery time by more than 25 days.

The article goes further to explain that the Port of Tampa is specifically being promoted as a new "Gateway" of products and people between Mexico and the U.S. As shipping on the "superhighway across the Gulf of Mexico" becomes more important, the Port's central position on Florida's Gulf coast will be strategic. The article also explains that the Port's easy access to major interstate roadways and coming improvements in the Port's infrastructure will only increase its new role.

Indeed, as Mr. Petrovsky notes, some major companies have already begun to realize the Port of Tampa's and the Gulf of Mexico's true potential for trade. Daimler-Chrysler has recently been breaking ranks with its competitors by shipping vehicles manufactured in Mexico across the Gulf to the ports of Tampa and Pensacola, as opposed to transporting them overland through Mexico and Texas. The major car manufacturer has found this method of transport much faster and cheaper. Charlotte Starfire, of the Greater Tampa Chamber of Commerce was quoted as saying that Daimler-Chrysler now cuts weeks off delivery time by shipping across the Gulf.

As more agreements are struck between Mexican and U.S. ports on the Gulf of Mexico, aided by organizations like GoMSA, shipping of other products besides just beef and automobiles will become more cost effective. The article quoted Chris Schons, the Florida Department of State's Latin American Affairs Coordinator, as saying that the State of Florida had recently conducted negotiations with the government of Cancun, Mexico to ship agricultural products to support that city's large tourist population. Springer added that specialized Florida products such as high technology goods could be good candidates for increased Gulf trade.