As Tampa Bay continues to ride a wave of development, infrastructure growth, and commercial expansion, one company is making a major investment in the region’s future. SESCO Cement has appointed Jihad Chahine as Terminal Manager for its Port Redwing facility at Port Tampa Bay, signaling a new phase of growth for the company’s expanding Florida operations.
The appointment comes at a time when demand for construction materials across the Tampa Bay region remains strong, fueled by continued population growth, commercial projects, and residential development. Chahine, a mechanical engineer with years of operational leadership experience inside the company, will oversee terminal operations as SESCO moves toward full-scale production at the Tampa facility.
For Tampa, the expansion represents more than another industrial project. It reflects the region’s growing importance as a logistics and construction hub for the Southeast.
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Chahine joined SESCO Cement in 2021 and most recently served as Vessel Operations Manager at the company’s Houston terminal, currently recognized as the largest cement terminal in the United States. During his time there, he led operational efficiency initiatives, managed vessel scheduling and unloading logistics, and helped streamline maintenance and shipping operations.
“Jihad’s deep knowledge of our systems, processes, and culture makes him the ideal leader to bring our Tampa terminal to its full potential,” said Mohamed El Nokali, Vice President of Operations at SESCO Group. “He helped us in Houston to maintain double digit growth in operations for five years in a row. We are confident that under his leadership, our facility at Port Tampa Bay will deliver on the promise we’ve made to Florida’s construction industry.”
The Tampa terminal is expected to become a critical part of SESCO Cement’s national supply chain strategy. Strategically positioned near maritime shipping routes, interstate highways, and rail connections, the facility is designed to support some of Florida’s fastest-growing construction markets.
The company anticipates moving up to 500,000 tons of cement and crushed limestone aggregate through the terminal by the end of 2026. SESCO also expects to employ approximately 25 Tampa-area workers as operations continue to scale.
For local business leaders and economic development advocates, the expansion highlights the continued importance of Port Tampa Bay as a driver of commerce and industrial growth throughout the region.
In his new role, Chahine will guide the facility through commissioning, ramp-up, and long-term operational development while focusing on safety, efficiency, and sustainable growth.
“I’m proud to be part of SESCO’s expansion into Florida and excited by the opportunity to build something from the ground up here in Tampa,” said Chahine. “Our team is focused on delivering safe, efficient operations that support Florida’s construction sector and create lasting value for the community.”
Founded in 2014, SESCO Cement operates as part of the global SESCO Group, a vertically integrated manufacturing, shipping, and logistics company. Along with its Houston operations, the company’s new 14-acre Tampa terminal positions SESCO to play a larger role in Florida’s rapidly evolving construction economy.
As cranes continue to reshape skylines across Tampa Bay, investments like this reinforce the region’s growing reputation as one of Florida’s most active centers for business, logistics, and development.