Tampa Port Authority officials and representatives of some of the port's tenants will begin meeting regularly next year to discuss ways to improve port security without hindering business.

Richard Wainio, the port's director and chief executive, said Tuesday he agreed to form the new committee after hearing from the Port of Tampa Maritime Industries Association, a group that represents many of the businesses operating at the port.

Wainio said the port already communicates well with its tenants, and that port security is strong and efficient. However, he said the new committee will provide a new forum for tenants and port officials to discuss ideas to improve security.

"Fundamentally, what we're doing is providing a mechanism for communication," he said. "We want to make sure there are enough forums."

Wainio said he hasn't decided what the new committee would be called, how often it would meet, or when the first meeting will be. He said he intends to select three port officials and invite the Maritime Industries Association to choose three representatives.

All of the committee members will already be involved in port security and will be able to examine security plans and documents that aren't available to the public.

Arthur R. Savage , president of the Maritime Industries Association, said his organization wants to play a more active role in several security issues, such as how access to the port is controlled and which facilities are designated as restricted.

The association and its members don't want to see port security weakened, said Savage, who is also president of A.R. Savage & Son Inc., a Tampa-based shipping company.

"No one cares about security more than the businesses that operate at the port," he said. However, it's important "that we do it with the least negative impact on employment and commerce," he said.

Wainio said he's open to new ideas generated by the committee, but he also said he's not expecting any massive changes. That's because many of the elements and procedures involved in port security are dictated by federal and state laws, and not by local port officials.