TAMPA, Fla., Sept. 7 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- TECO Transport today
announced that its river and ocean transportation business units have resumed
deliveries of coal to its sister company, Tampa Electric. Utilizing floating
cranes at an alternate location upriver, TECO Barge Line discharged 23,000
tons of coal from its vessels, and the coal was loaded on a TECO Ocean
Shipping vessel, which is currently en route to Tampa Electric via the Gulf of
Mexico. Delivery is expected on Sept. 9. Services for its other customers are
also resuming as circumstances permit.
TECO Energy President and COO John Ramil said, "I am very proud of the
resourcefulness of our TECO Transport team. Despite the challenges to the
terminal business in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, they have not only
begun the recovery process, they've begun to provide fuel transportation for
Tampa Electric and services to other customers."
At the time of Hurricane Katrina, Tampa Electric had approximately
30 days' supply of coal at its power generation facilities in Florida. TECO
Transport expects to continue to deliver coal to Tampa Electric on a regular
basis from the alternate location until TECO Bulk Terminal resumes operations.
The company will continue working toward a normal schedule as recovery
progresses.
Water has receded from the TECO Bulk Terminal facility in Davant,
Louisiana. The company anticipates being able to load products at the Davant
location within 30-45 days, once damage assessment has been completed and
repairs are underway. The assessment of the financial impact on TECO
Transport's results will not be complete until further inspections of terminal
equipment are made and a definitive return-to-service schedule is developed.
As customers resume operations and product shipping, TECO Barge Line's
river operations continue their efforts to return to normal operations as
quickly as possible. Salvage operations are underway, recovering barges
scattered by Katrina.
TECO Energy, Inc. (NYSE: TE) is an integrated energy-related holding
company with regulated utility businesses, complemented by a family of
unregulated businesses. Its principal subsidiary, Tampa Electric Company, is a
regulated utility with both electric and gas divisions (Tampa Electric and
Peoples Gas System). Other subsidiaries are engaged in waterborne
transportation, coal and synthetic fuel production and electric generation and
distribution in Guatemala.
Note: This press release may be deemed to contain forward-looking
statements relating to the impact of Hurricane Katrina, which are subject to
the inherent uncertainties in forecasting the impact of such an event. Actual
results may differ materially from those forecasted. Important factors that
could impact actual results include the time needed for affected team members
to safely return to work; the availability of the necessary outside resources
to restore power to the terminal and otherwise return the terminal to full
operations; and timing of shipments at other facilities that TECO Transport's
vessels may use in the Port of New Orleans.
SOURCE TECO Energy, Inc.
 back to top
Related links:
http://www.tecoenergy.com
CONTACT:
Media, Ross Bannister, +1-813-228-4945 or
Investors, Mark Kane, +1-813-228-1772, both of TECO
|
