When it comes to ensuring that Floridians have access to critical commodities like food, fuel, and healthcare supplies, Florida’s seaports are the essential supply chain leader.

Nearly 800 people gathered at Port Canaveral’s Jetty Park to bid “Bon Voyage” to Royal Caribbean’s Utopia of the Seas as it embarked on its first revenue sailing from the port. The event, dubbed “The World’s Biggest Wave Out,” was organized by the port for the local community, campground guests, and beachgoers. Attendees enjoyed a festive afternoon featuring a DJ, bubble machine, giveaways, and refreshments provided by local vendors.

Gerard van den Heuvel was recently appointed to the Port of Miami Terminal Operating Company (POMTOC) as its new Chief Executive Officer. He succeeds Carlos Arocha, who recently retired after a distinguished career with the organization.

With growing complexity in supply chain management, a realignment of infrastructure supporting global trade routes is underway at the Port of Pensacola. The port is seeking $53 million in Triumph Gulf Coast grant funding to complete the first phase of its three-phase Supply Chain Enhancement Project. This project consists of engineering and construction elements intended to maximize the use of 75 percent of the port while achieving goals set forth by the portside Vision Plan for the remaining 25 percent.

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has approved Port Tampa Bay's General Reevaluation Report to deepen its shipping channels. This decision will allow the main portions of the navigable waterways serving Port Tampa Bay to be deepened from 43 to 47 feet. The Tampa Harbor Navigation Improvement Study, which began three years ago, received approval on August 14, 2024.

Contractors for Southeast Toyota Distributors, the world’s largest independent distributor of Toyotas, are making significant progress on a new 340,000-square-foot auto processing facility at JAXPORT’s Blount Island Marine Terminal. J.E. Dunn Construction has completed the foundations and is now beginning construction of the concrete walls in preparation for the installation of structural steel framing in late July.

Margaritaville at Sea Paradise is introducing a new four-night itinerary from Port of Palm Beach, Florida, featuring a new port of call to Key West and a day at sea.

Advent eModal (AeM), the world’s largest port community system serving the intermodal supply chain, recently announced the successful implementation of its eModal® Community Portal (eCP) at Florida International Terminal (FIT) at Port Everglades. This deployment introduces the advanced PreGate and Fee Manager applications into the comprehensive eCP system, enhancing port operations and intermodal logistics.

The Florida Supply Chain Summit is scheduled to take place from September 9-11 in Miami. Now in its fifth year, the summit aims to engage statewide stakeholders and advance efforts to develop Florida as a global trade hub.

Port Canaveral has once again earned Green Marine re-certification, underscoring the port’s commitment to environmental excellence in its operations. This marks the port’s eighth consecutive certification by the international organization. The award was presented at the GreenTech2024 environmental conference held recently in Halifax, Nova Scotia.

SeaPort Manatee has experienced a significant surge in exports over the past five years, according to port officials. Exports have risen by 231.55% during this period and increased by 11.6% in the last year alone.

The Broward County Commission recently confirmed the County Administrator’s appointment of Joseph Morris as the new Port Director at Port Everglades. Morris is the former Port Director for the Massachusetts Port Authority, where he worked for four years, originally as the Deputy Port Director of Operations.

Ocean carrier Ocean Network Express’s (ONE) new West India North America (WIN) container service has commenced operations at Jacksonville with the arrival of the container ship ONE Modern. This marks the Jacksonville Port Authority’s (JAXPORT) first direct container service with the Indian subcontinent.

Work is progressing on a $39 million capital improvement project to rebuild Port Canaveral’s North Cargo Berth 4 (NCB4). The project involves removing the existing over-the-water pier, which has been out of service for nearly 10 years, and replacing it with a 981-foot-long multi-purpose, multi-user wharf. North Cargo Berth 4 is adjacent to the newly rebuilt North Cargo Berth 3 (NCB3), an 880-foot-long multi-purpose berth that went into service in June 2023.

Leadership from the Jacksonville Port Authority (JAXPORT) recently traveled to San Juan to join the Puerto Rico Ports Authority (PRPA) in hosting the inaugural Puerto Rico – Jacksonville Ports and Partners Summit on the island. Jacksonville is the number one port in the United States for trade with Puerto Rico, handling nearly 90 percent of all sea trade between the island and the U.S. mainland.

The Riviera Beach Police Foundation has appointed Port of Palm Beach Executive Director Michael Meekins to its Board of Directors. "I am honored to join the Board of Directors, allowing me to contribute to the nonprofit’s mission and objectives," said Meekins.

Port Tampa Bay, Florida’s largest and most diversified seaport, stands as the primary economic engine in West Central Florida. Situated on the Interstate-4 Corridor, it supports a variety of maritime and related activities, including shipbuilding and repair facilities, cruise operations, and handling the highest cargo tonnage volume in the state.

The Port of Palm Beach recently participated in the All About the Ocean Night at Roger Dean Stadium, where the Jupiter Hammerheads played against the Clearwater Threshers. The event, held in June, aimed to promote marine conservation and education.

Operational performance at Port Everglades notably improved in 2023, placing the Broward County, Florida, seaport in the top 20% of ports worldwide, according to the latest Container Port Performance Index (CPPI). At a global level, Port Everglades is ranked No. 65 — up from the previous year’s ranking of No. 89. In 2021, the port was No. 116. Regionally, including the United States and Canada, Port Everglades claims the No. 3 spot, up two spots from the 2022 report, and remains No. 1 in Florida.

It has been said that everything good and magical happens between the months of June and August. For Florida’s system of seaports, there are many positive developments occurring.