Port Everglades rallies with year-end increases

“We’re seeing a robust upward trend in the Port’s two largest business sectors, cargo and cruise, that further indicates higher consumer confidence and positive economic benefits for the South Florida region,” said chief executive and port director, Steven Cernak.

Container throughput during FY 2012 rose 5% to 923,600 teu compared to FY 2011, almost returning the port to its record of 985,000 teu handled in 2008, prior to the global economic downturn; container tonnage rose almost 3% reaching 5.9m tonnes. Bulk and break-bulk cargoes, typically used in construction, also rose by 83% and 27% respectively, with notable increases in cement and steel rebar.

Port officials credit existing customers for the cargo increases. In addition, two new heavy equipment shipping services, Naviera Master Line de Venezuela CA and the Panamanian ocean shipping company, SC Line, began service between Port Everglades and Colombia and other Latin American countries.