by Manal Barakat, SeaNewsEditor

A new hurricane formed over the weekend over the Gulf of Mexico and is expected to arrive near Tampa on Wednesday as a Category 3 hurricane.

According to the National Hurricane Center (NHC), Milton is forecast to be a major hurricane when it reaches the west coast of Florida by midweek.

Storm surges and damaging winds could form on Wednesday. However, the NHC writes that there remains "significant uncertainty" about the hurricane's eventual track and intensity.

The Port of Tampa reported that the U.S. Coast Guard set Port Condition X-RAY, meaning the possibility of gale force winds could impact our maritime operations within 48 hours.

In the meantime, inbound and outbound vessel traffic remains open, and landside operations will continue as long as it is safely possible.