TAMPA — Port Tampa Bay has resumed all vessel operations and its shipping channels are reopened in the wake of Hurricane Idalia.

Officials made the announcement Thursday evening.

"We want to express our sincere appreciation to those who helped our port prepare and recover from the impact of the storm," they said in a news release. "The port’s Operations, Security, Facilities staff, maritime community, the U.S. Coast Guard, and our local law enforcement and emergency response agencies were critical to our ability to minimize the effects of the storm and help our port to return to operations as soon as safely possible." 

Port Tampa Bay supplies nearly half of Florida’s gas, fuel and petroleum supply.

Meanwhile, Carnival Cruise Line and Royal Caribbean International experienced a delay in their service. The Carnival Paradise will return to Port Tampa Bay Cruise Terminal 3 on Friday, and the Royal Caribbean Serenade of the Seas will return to Port Tampa Bay Cruise Terminal 2, also on Friday.