Port Everglades’ container and cruise traffic upswing continues

“Seeing three consecutive quarters of growth in the cargo sector makes us more confident that South Florida’s economy is rebounding,” says Port Everglades Director Phil Allen. “Nearly all container cargo lines that call on the port have contributed to this growth.”

It has also been a positive fiscal year for the port’s cruise trade, with the passenger count up 2.4% in the third quarter and 12.8% for the first nine months. Overall, the port processed 3,461,886 passengers between October and June, up from 3,069,523 passengers in the comparable period of FY 2009-10.

“These trends show the resilience of the nation’s cruise market and the importance of the cruise industry to South Florida,” said Allen. “In a tough economy, cruising offers guests affordable vacationing options. Interestingly, some of the highest ship occupancy rates are on those ships that sail year-round from Port Everglades.”