Hurricane Helene closes the Port Tampa Bay and Port Manatee shipping channels
Hurricane Helene closes the Port Tampa Bay and Port Manatee shipping channels. The disruption ran from 2024-09-25 (25 September 2024) to 2024-09-29 (29 September 2024), 5 days, affecting Tampa Port, Port Manatee. The measured effect for this event has not been computed yet.
Key facts
- Started
- 2024-09-25 (25 September 2024)
- Ended
- 2024-09-29 (29 September 2024)
- Status
- ended
- Type
- Weather stoppage
- Severity
- 2 Moderate
- Scope
- port
- Chokepoints
- None
- Ports
- Tampa Port, Port Manatee
- Lanes
- None
- Countries
- United States
- Confidence
- medium: Dates and the reopening come from the port's own update and two news or agency reports that agree, but no Coast Guard bulletin was retrieved, and Port Manatee's closure rests on one shipping agent's notice.
- First reported
- 2024-09-25 (25 September 2024)
- Severity basis: Port wide stoppage of 24 hours to seven days; Port Tampa Bay stopped inbound and outbound vessel traffic from 20:00 on 2024-09-25 and its channels reopened at 13:15 on 2024-09-29, about 3.7 days.
What happened
At 20:00 local time on 2024-09-25 (25 September 2024) the Coast Guard set Port Condition Zulu for Tampa Bay ahead of Hurricane Helene, and Port Tampa Bay halted inbound and outbound vessel traffic. A shipping agent's bulletin dated 2024-09-27 still listed Tampa and Port Manatee as closed while the Coast Guard's reopening advice was awaited. Channel surveys with the Army Corps of Engineers began that day. On 2024-09-29 (29 September 2024) the Coast Guard reopened the port under restrictions and the port said ship movements were limited to daylight hours. Fuel tankers, cruise ships and vessels carrying perishable cargo were to return first, and fuel deliveries by land continued throughout.
Measured effect
Port calls, Tampa Port
Not yet computed. The effect engine (wfm-effect-1.2) will compare 2024-09-25 to 2024-09-29 with a 56 day baseline ending 8 days before the start, once the series for this window is loaded.
Source: IMF PortWatch (portwatch.imf.org), International Monetary Fund, using UN Global Platform AIS data. Statistics derived by World Freight Monitor. Terms. Retrieved 2026-10-21 (21 October 2026).
| Date | calls per day |
|---|---|
| 2024-07-17 | 5 |
| 2024-07-18 | 2 |
| 2024-07-19 | 1 |
| 2024-07-20 | 2 |
| 2024-07-21 | 1 |
| 2024-07-22 | 1 |
| 2024-07-23 | 4 |
| 2024-07-24 | 3 |
| 2024-07-25 | 2 |
| 2024-07-26 | 2 |
| 2024-07-27 | 1 |
| 2024-07-28 | 3 |
| 2024-07-29 | 3 |
| 2024-07-30 | 5 |
| 2024-07-31 | 3 |
| 2024-08-01 | 3 |
| 2024-08-02 | 5 |
| 2024-08-03 | 0 |
| 2024-08-04 | 0 |
| 2024-08-05 | 0 |
| 2024-08-06 | 2 |
| 2024-08-07 | 1 |
| 2024-08-08 | 4 |
| 2024-08-09 | 4 |
| 2024-08-10 | 3 |
| 2024-08-11 | 1 |
| 2024-08-12 | 3 |
| 2024-08-13 | 3 |
| 2024-08-14 | 4 |
| 2024-08-15 | 1 |
| 2024-08-16 | 3 |
| 2024-08-17 | 2 |
| 2024-08-18 | 3 |
| 2024-08-19 | 2 |
| 2024-08-20 | 5 |
| 2024-08-21 | 2 |
| 2024-08-22 | 5 |
| 2024-08-23 | 3 |
| 2024-08-24 | 1 |
| 2024-08-25 | 2 |
| 2024-08-26 | 4 |
| 2024-08-27 | 2 |
| 2024-08-28 | 2 |
| 2024-08-29 | 0 |
| 2024-08-30 | 4 |
| 2024-08-31 | 1 |
| 2024-09-01 | 0 |
| 2024-09-02 | 0 |
| 2024-09-03 | 4 |
| 2024-09-04 | 2 |
| 2024-09-05 | 3 |
| 2024-09-06 | 6 |
| 2024-09-07 | 0 |
| 2024-09-08 | 1 |
| 2024-09-09 | 3 |
| 2024-09-10 | 2 |
| 2024-09-11 | 5 |
| 2024-09-12 | 3 |
| 2024-09-13 | 3 |
| 2024-09-14 | 0 |
| 2024-09-15 | 2 |
| 2024-09-16 | 3 |
| 2024-09-17 | 4 |
| 2024-09-18 | 2 |
| 2024-09-19 | 3 |
| 2024-09-20 | 2 |
| 2024-09-21 | 7 |
| 2024-09-22 | 3 |
| 2024-09-23 | 2 |
| 2024-09-24 | 0 |
| 2024-09-25 | 0 |
| 2024-09-26 | 0 |
| 2024-09-27 | 0 |
| 2024-09-28 | 0 |
| 2024-09-29 | 5 |
| 2024-09-30 | 1 |
| 2024-10-01 | 2 |
| 2024-10-02 | 3 |
| 2024-10-03 | 2 |
| 2024-10-04 | 3 |
| 2024-10-05 | 3 |
| 2024-10-06 | 2 |
| 2024-10-07 | 0 |
| 2024-10-08 | 0 |
| 2024-10-09 | 0 |
| 2024-10-10 | 0 |
| 2024-10-11 | 0 |
| 2024-10-12 | 3 |
| 2024-10-13 | 4 |
| 2024-10-14 | 3 |
| 2024-10-15 | 3 |
| 2024-10-16 | 4 |
| 2024-10-17 | 2 |
| 2024-10-18 | 2 |
| 2024-10-19 | 1 |
| 2024-10-20 | 1 |
| 2024-10-21 | 4 |
| 2024-10-22 | 1 |
| 2024-10-23 | 7 |
| 2024-10-24 | 1 |
| 2024-10-25 | 4 |
| 2024-10-26 | 1 |
| 2024-10-27 | 1 |
| 2024-10-28 | 1 |
| 2024-10-29 | 3 |
| 2024-10-30 | 1 |
| 2024-10-31 | 4 |
| 2024-11-01 | 2 |
| 2024-11-02 | 1 |
| 2024-11-03 | 0 |
| 2024-11-04 | 2 |
| 2024-11-05 | 5 |
| 2024-11-06 | 0 |
| 2024-11-07 | 1 |
| 2024-11-08 | 0 |
| 2024-11-09 | 4 |
| 2024-11-10 | 2 |
This is a measured change in public data during the event window, compared with a baseline before it. It shows timing, not cause. We describe an event as causing a change only when an official source says so.
Tanker port calls, Tampa Port
Not yet computed. The effect engine (wfm-effect-1.2) will compare 2024-09-25 to 2024-09-29 with a 56 day baseline ending 8 days before the start, once the series for this window is loaded.
Source: IMF PortWatch (portwatch.imf.org), International Monetary Fund, using UN Global Platform AIS data. Statistics derived by World Freight Monitor. Terms. Retrieved 2026-10-21 (21 October 2026).
| Date | calls per day |
|---|---|
| 2024-07-17 | 1 |
| 2024-07-18 | 1 |
| 2024-07-19 | 0 |
| 2024-07-20 | 1 |
| 2024-07-21 | 0 |
| 2024-07-22 | 1 |
| 2024-07-23 | 2 |
| 2024-07-24 | 1 |
| 2024-07-25 | 1 |
| 2024-07-26 | 1 |
| 2024-07-27 | 0 |
| 2024-07-28 | 1 |
| 2024-07-29 | 1 |
| 2024-07-30 | 1 |
| 2024-07-31 | 1 |
| 2024-08-01 | 1 |
| 2024-08-02 | 1 |
| 2024-08-03 | 0 |
| 2024-08-04 | 0 |
| 2024-08-05 | 0 |
| 2024-08-06 | 0 |
| 2024-08-07 | 0 |
| 2024-08-08 | 2 |
| 2024-08-09 | 1 |
| 2024-08-10 | 1 |
| 2024-08-11 | 1 |
| 2024-08-12 | 0 |
| 2024-08-13 | 1 |
| 2024-08-14 | 0 |
| 2024-08-15 | 0 |
| 2024-08-16 | 1 |
| 2024-08-17 | 0 |
| 2024-08-18 | 2 |
| 2024-08-19 | 0 |
| 2024-08-20 | 2 |
| 2024-08-21 | 2 |
| 2024-08-22 | 2 |
| 2024-08-23 | 1 |
| 2024-08-24 | 1 |
| 2024-08-25 | 1 |
| 2024-08-26 | 1 |
| 2024-08-27 | 0 |
| 2024-08-28 | 1 |
| 2024-08-29 | 0 |
| 2024-08-30 | 2 |
| 2024-08-31 | 0 |
| 2024-09-01 | 0 |
| 2024-09-02 | 0 |
| 2024-09-03 | 2 |
| 2024-09-04 | 1 |
| 2024-09-05 | 1 |
| 2024-09-06 | 1 |
| 2024-09-07 | 0 |
| 2024-09-08 | 1 |
| 2024-09-09 | 2 |
| 2024-09-10 | 0 |
| 2024-09-11 | 1 |
| 2024-09-12 | 2 |
| 2024-09-13 | 1 |
| 2024-09-14 | 0 |
| 2024-09-15 | 0 |
| 2024-09-16 | 2 |
| 2024-09-17 | 2 |
| 2024-09-18 | 1 |
| 2024-09-19 | 1 |
| 2024-09-20 | 0 |
| 2024-09-21 | 3 |
| 2024-09-22 | 2 |
| 2024-09-23 | 0 |
| 2024-09-24 | 0 |
| 2024-09-25 | 0 |
| 2024-09-26 | 0 |
| 2024-09-27 | 0 |
| 2024-09-28 | 0 |
| 2024-09-29 | 2 |
| 2024-09-30 | 0 |
| 2024-10-01 | 0 |
| 2024-10-02 | 1 |
| 2024-10-03 | 1 |
| 2024-10-04 | 1 |
| 2024-10-05 | 0 |
| 2024-10-06 | 2 |
| 2024-10-07 | 0 |
| 2024-10-08 | 0 |
| 2024-10-09 | 0 |
| 2024-10-10 | 0 |
| 2024-10-11 | 0 |
| 2024-10-12 | 2 |
| 2024-10-13 | 1 |
| 2024-10-14 | 1 |
| 2024-10-15 | 1 |
| 2024-10-16 | 2 |
| 2024-10-17 | 0 |
| 2024-10-18 | 2 |
| 2024-10-19 | 0 |
| 2024-10-20 | 0 |
| 2024-10-21 | 1 |
| 2024-10-22 | 0 |
| 2024-10-23 | 3 |
| 2024-10-24 | 0 |
| 2024-10-25 | 1 |
| 2024-10-26 | 0 |
| 2024-10-27 | 1 |
| 2024-10-28 | 1 |
| 2024-10-29 | 0 |
| 2024-10-30 | 1 |
| 2024-10-31 | 1 |
| 2024-11-01 | 1 |
| 2024-11-02 | 1 |
| 2024-11-03 | 0 |
| 2024-11-04 | 0 |
| 2024-11-05 | 1 |
| 2024-11-06 | 0 |
| 2024-11-07 | 1 |
| 2024-11-08 | 0 |
| 2024-11-09 | 1 |
| 2024-11-10 | 0 |
This is a measured change in public data during the event window, compared with a baseline before it. It shows timing, not cause. We describe an event as causing a change only when an official source says so.
Replay
Source: IMF PortWatch (portwatch.imf.org), International Monetary Fund, using UN Global Platform AIS data. Statistics derived by World Freight Monitor. Terms. Retrieved 2026-10-21 (21 October 2026).
| Date | calls per day |
|---|---|
| 2024-07-27 | 1 |
| 2024-07-28 | 3 |
| 2024-07-29 | 3 |
| 2024-07-30 | 5 |
| 2024-07-31 | 3 |
| 2024-08-01 | 3 |
| 2024-08-02 | 5 |
| 2024-08-03 | 0 |
| 2024-08-04 | 0 |
| 2024-08-05 | 0 |
| 2024-08-06 | 2 |
| 2024-08-07 | 1 |
| 2024-08-08 | 4 |
| 2024-08-09 | 4 |
| 2024-08-10 | 3 |
| 2024-08-11 | 1 |
| 2024-08-12 | 3 |
| 2024-08-13 | 3 |
| 2024-08-14 | 4 |
| 2024-08-15 | 1 |
| 2024-08-16 | 3 |
| 2024-08-17 | 2 |
| 2024-08-18 | 3 |
| 2024-08-19 | 2 |
| 2024-08-20 | 5 |
| 2024-08-21 | 2 |
| 2024-08-22 | 5 |
| 2024-08-23 | 3 |
| 2024-08-24 | 1 |
| 2024-08-25 | 2 |
| 2024-08-26 | 4 |
| 2024-08-27 | 2 |
| 2024-08-28 | 2 |
| 2024-08-29 | 0 |
| 2024-08-30 | 4 |
| 2024-08-31 | 1 |
| 2024-09-01 | 0 |
| 2024-09-02 | 0 |
| 2024-09-03 | 4 |
| 2024-09-04 | 2 |
| 2024-09-05 | 3 |
| 2024-09-06 | 6 |
| 2024-09-07 | 0 |
| 2024-09-08 | 1 |
| 2024-09-09 | 3 |
| 2024-09-10 | 2 |
| 2024-09-11 | 5 |
| 2024-09-12 | 3 |
| 2024-09-13 | 3 |
| 2024-09-14 | 0 |
| 2024-09-15 | 2 |
| 2024-09-16 | 3 |
| 2024-09-17 | 4 |
| 2024-09-18 | 2 |
| 2024-09-19 | 3 |
| 2024-09-20 | 2 |
| 2024-09-21 | 7 |
| 2024-09-22 | 3 |
| 2024-09-23 | 2 |
| 2024-09-24 | 0 |
| 2024-09-25 | 0 |
| 2024-09-26 | 0 |
| 2024-09-27 | 0 |
| 2024-09-28 | 0 |
| 2024-09-29 | 5 |
| 2024-09-30 | 1 |
| 2024-10-01 | 2 |
| 2024-10-02 | 3 |
| 2024-10-03 | 2 |
| 2024-10-04 | 3 |
| 2024-10-05 | 3 |
| 2024-10-06 | 2 |
| 2024-10-07 | 0 |
| 2024-10-08 | 0 |
| 2024-10-09 | 0 |
| 2024-10-10 | 0 |
| 2024-10-11 | 0 |
| 2024-10-12 | 3 |
| 2024-10-13 | 4 |
| 2024-10-14 | 3 |
| 2024-10-15 | 3 |
| 2024-10-16 | 4 |
| 2024-10-17 | 2 |
| 2024-10-18 | 2 |
| 2024-10-19 | 1 |
| 2024-10-20 | 1 |
| 2024-10-21 | 4 |
| 2024-10-22 | 1 |
| 2024-10-23 | 7 |
| 2024-10-24 | 1 |
| 2024-10-25 | 4 |
This is a measured change in public data during the event window, compared with a baseline before it. It shows timing, not cause. We describe an event as causing a change only when an official source says so.
Timeline
- At 20:00 the Coast Guard sets Port Condition Zulu, meaning gale force winds may reach the port within 12 hours. Inbound and outbound vessel traffic stops and the shipping channels close, while landside operations continue. [s1] [s3]
- Port Tampa Bay works with the Coast Guard and the Army Corps of Engineers to begin surveying its channels. A shipping agent's bulletin lists Tampa and Port Manatee as closed with the storm past and the Coast Guard's advice on reopening awaited. [s1] [s4]
- The Coast Guard reopens the port and sets the condition to normal with restrictions. Port Tampa Bay says channels are open to ship movements in daylight hours only and that fuel tankers, cruise ships and perishable cargo vessels will arrive first. [s1] [s2]
Cause
Resolution
Corrections
No corrections to this record as of 2026-10-29 (29 October 2026).
Sources
- [s1] Port Tampa Bay, Port Conditions Update - Hurricane Helene, published 2024-09-29 (29 September 2024), accessed 2026-10-28. Archived copy. (official)
- [s2] Kuehne+Nagel, Ports resume operations post-hurricane Helene, published 2024-09-30 (30 September 2024), accessed 2026-10-28. Archived copy. (press)
- [s3] FOX 13 Tampa Bay, Hurricane Helene: Port Tampa Bay closes shipping channels, cruises impacted, published 2024-09-25 (25 September 2024), accessed 2026-10-28. Archived copy. (press)
- [s4] Moran Shipping Agencies, Notice - Tampa, FL - 2024-09-27, published 2024-09-27 (27 September 2024), accessed 2026-10-28. Archived copy. (press)
Cite this record
The address of this record is permanent and a correction is always logged on this page, so a citation names the version you read. Add the date you accessed it.
Plain text
World Freight Monitor. "Hurricane Helene closes the Port Tampa Bay and Port Manatee shipping channels." Last updated 2026-10-29 (29 October 2026). https://worldfreightmonitor.com/events/2024/hurricane-helene-tampa-bay-port-closure-2024/
APA
World Freight Monitor. (2026). Hurricane Helene closes the Port Tampa Bay and Port Manatee shipping channels. World Freight Monitor. https://worldfreightmonitor.com/events/2024/hurricane-helene-tampa-bay-port-closure-2024/
BibTeX
@misc{wfm_hurricane_helene_tampa_bay_port_closure_2024,
author = {{World Freight Monitor}},
title = {Hurricane Helene closes the Port Tampa Bay and Port Manatee shipping channels},
year = {2026},
note = {Last updated 2026-10-29},
url = {https://worldfreightmonitor.com/events/2024/hurricane-helene-tampa-bay-port-closure-2024/}
}