Port Everglades Named As Fast Growing Containerport

Broward County’s Port Everglades has been ranked as one of the five fastest growing container ports among the nation’s 20 largest seaports, with a 16 percent increase in containerized cargo from 2003 to 2004, according to newly released year-end data by the P.I.E.R.S. Trade Information Service.

“We’re celebrating another year of dramatic success in our container business, which is due in part to an expanding diversification of container routes and services,” said Port Director Ken Krauter.

Over the 12 months January through December 2004, containerized cargo at Port Everglades has grown 16 percent from 429,315 loaded TEUs (20-foot equivalent units – the industry’s standard for measuring containerized cargo) in 2003 to 499,701 TEUs in 2004.

In the past year, new shipping line services have been added at Port Everglades including Great White Fleet/Chiquita Brands Co., North America and a vessel sharing agreement between Zim Israel Navigation Company, Evergreen and Lloyd Treistino with service to and from the Far East. In addition, the Port’s anchor tenant, Crowley Liner Services, increased its cargo tonnage by 12.7 percent over the previous fiscal year with 139,000 tons.

Port staff anticipates even greater growth over the current year with start up service by Mediterranean Shipping Company, which has the potential for 364 calls per year at Port Everglades on six trade lanes for a total of 83,800 TEUs.

“Containerized cargo at Port Everglades has increased to its highest level in the last five years,” says Carlos Buqueras, Director of Trade Development for Port Everglades. “The South Florida region also enjoyed a strong year with a combined 8.6 percent increase in containerized cargo at Port Everglades, Port of Miami and Port of Palm Beach.”

Port Everglades, ranked the 12th leading container seaport in the United States, is a world-class cargo handling facility that serves as an ideal point of entry for products shipped to and from Central America, the Caribbean and South America. The Port has direct access to the interstate highway system, is within two miles of the FEC rail hub and is just one mile from the Atlantic Shipping Lanes. Ongoing capital improvements and expansion ensure that Port Everglades will have the ability to handle the Port's growing container traffic.