Florida's seaports have demonstrated resilience in the face of recent challenges, including two hurricanes and a port worker strike. In the past month, these events tested the ports' capabilities, but effective leadership across 16 public ports enabled swift recovery and continuation of their critical role in Florida's supply chain.
The Port of Palm Beach has initiated its Port Infrastructure Development Program, a project backed by a $13.2 million grant from the U.S. Maritime Administration. The program aims to improve the port's infrastructure and increase operational efficiency.
For 25 years, Royal Caribbean Group has used Port Everglades as a homeport for its cruise ships. The partnership is set to continue following the Broward County Board of Commissioners' approval of an extension to the company's Passenger Terminal and Berth User Agreement. This extension will last until September 30, 2030, with an option for an additional five-year term.
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has announced a total of $8.8 million in funding for projects at JAXPORT and Port Tampa Bay aimed at enhancing the storage and transportation of aggregate materials. The funding includes $2.6 million for a project at JAXPORT to improve storage capacity and rail access, while Port Tampa Bay will receive $6.2 million to build the Berth 218 aggregate terminal, which is expected to handle an additional 500,000 tons of limerock each year.
Governor Ron DeSantis has announced a $9.5 million funding award to SeaPort Manatee to aid in its recovery from the damages inflicted by Hurricane Milton. SeaPort Manatee, a key deep-water seaport in Southwest Florida, plays an essential role in distributing goods such as fuel, fruits and vegetables, appliances, construction materials, and wood across Southwest Florida and the Southeast.
Florida legislators have allocated $23 million to JAXPORT for the purchase and refurbishment of container cranes. This funding will enable the acquisition of a new crane from Liebherr Crane Company in Germany and refurbish existing equipment at JAXPORT's terminals.
The Florida Ports Council is closely monitoring the ongoing strike by the International Longshoremen's Association (ILA) and its potential impact on Floridians. The strike, stemming from a lack of agreement between the ILA and the United States Maritime Alliance (USMX), affects several key ports in Florida.
Special thanks were extended to all Florida port directors and seaport professionals who recently participated in the annual board meeting in Pensacola. The Port of Pensacola hosted the event, showcasing both the city's beauty and the port's benefits.
Carnival Cruise Line is set to celebrate its 30th anniversary of year-round sailing from Port Tampa Bay. The cruise operator, the first to recognize Tampa's potential as a year-round cruise homeport, will host an event aboard Carnival Paradise on September 21 to express appreciation for its long-standing relationship with Port Tampa Bay. To mark the milestone, Carnival will also make a donation to Keep Tampa Bay Beautiful.
The MV Canopée, the world’s first hybrid propulsion commercial cargo vessel, recently made its inaugural U.S. visit to Port Canaveral. The specially designed Ro-Ro (roll-on/roll-off) delivered the European Service Module (ESM-3), which will fly on NASA's SLS Artemis-III mission to the moon for the first time since the Apollo era.
The Port of Palm Beach, located in Riviera Beach, Florida, is a full-service diversified landlord port. It serves as a significant engine for economic development and job creation in the South Florida region and the state, employing over 3,800 people.
Beginning this fall, students seeking an MBA at the University of South Florida (USF) will have a new blue economy offering to consider. The new options allow MBA students to build expertise in a specific domain, in addition to the fundamental leadership skills earning an MBA degree brings.
PortMiami has been awarded a $19,547,316 grant from the Resilient Florida Program to construct an elevated Berth 10 bulkhead system. This initiative aligns with Miami-Dade County Mayor Daniella Levine Cava’s Climate Action Strategy and Future-Ready Economic Plan. The new bulkhead system aims to protect existing uplands from flooding and potential damage caused by sea level rise.
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.