TAMPA, Fla. (AP) - Ferry operators interested in carrying cargo and passengers to Cuba have opened discussions with officials at several Florida ports.
Such service has not yet begun because the Cuban government has not approved a U.S. ferry to use one of its ports. But ferries are expected to be a popular way to travel and ship cargo from Florida to the Caribbean island.
Officials at Havana Ferry Partners of Fort Lauderdale tell The Tampa Tribune they are interested in sailing from Miami, Fort Lauderdale and Key West, but they also has been exploring ports in the Tampa Bay area, especially Port Manatee.
Port Tampa Bay officials say they have facilities in place to connect passengers and cargo with Cuba. Port St. Petersburg officials say they would likely host mainly passenger ferries.
