Investments in Florida’s 15 seaports have positioned the Sunshine State to meet the nation’s supply-chain demands and take advantage of a realignment in global trade routes, according to a new report.
“Seaport Mission Plan, Florida Ports: Open for Business,” released by the Florida Seaport Transportation and Economic Development Council, analyzes the health and capabilities of the state’s ports and forthcoming trends.
The report comes as 29 West Coast ports are working without a negotiated labor contract, and many shippers have rerouted to East Coast ports out of concern that labor negotiations could result in strikes, lockouts and slowdowns like those that occurred in 2002, 2008, 2012 and 2014.
“Florida’s continued investment in our seaports have made it a destination for companies from around the world frustrated with the logjams at Pacific coast ports,” said Gov. Ron DeSantis. “We will continue to make the investments necessary to bolster our supply chain and improve our infrastructure to bring more business to Florida’s seaports.”
“Florida’s seaports are flexing their muscles and seizing the opportunity to become a global hub by capturing an even larger share of international trade and related commercial activities,” said Michael Rubin, the council’s program administrator.
According to the report, in the wake of the economic and supply chain upheaval caused by the pandemic, it’s become clear that Florida ports can support current demand and grow into the future.
Furthermore, the state’s strong performance has prompted global shipping lines to change trade lanes, specifically calling on Florida ports.
Among the new lines of business recently secured are:
- The first vessel in global ocean carrier Sea Lead Shipping Pte Ltd’s new Asia East Coast container service making its inaugural call to JAXPORT in June.
- A new direct Asia service is now calling on Port Tampa Bay, and new service connections with Mexico and Central America have been secured.
- MSC has launched its new Zephyr service from northern China and South Korea to the U.S. Gulf Coast, and it includes a direct call to Port Everglades.
Highlights from the 2022 Seaport Mission Plan include:
- Total tonnage (inbound and outbound) increased 118.4% year-over-year.
- JAXPORT recently celebrated the completion of the Jacksonville Harbor Deepening Project through its Blount Island Marine Terminal to accommodate post-Panamax container ships.
- Liquid bulk cargo accounted for 72.9% of total waterborne cargo tonnage, up 26% over 2020.
- Containerized cargo accounted for the second-highest percentage of total tonnage, up 16.2%.
- Port Miami recorded its busiest cargo year in history, up almost 18% over last year, with most of the additional cargo coming from Asia. This would otherwise have gone to California.
- Port Tampa Bay container tonnage increased by 14% in the first quarter of 2022, with large increases in building material. Steel is up 122%. Lumber is up 160%.
- Port Everglades saw 11% growth year-over-year and is up more than 25% year-to-date.
- At SeaPort Manatee, the first quarter of 2022 showed a 15% increase in short tons. Wood products, which normally go to California, have been coming to SeaPort Manatee.
- Port Canaveral’s year-over-year tonnage is up 685,000 tons (29%), and two new vessels carrying breakbulk frozen French fries from Belgium, are now calling on the port.
- Port Panama City handled an increased volume of forest product exports destined for the Far East, along with metals imports that previously moved in containers through another East Coast Port.
- Cruising began its ascent from COVID-19 in June 2021, and approximately 24.8 million people are expected to cruise in 2022 based on current rates of vessel deployment and passenger capacity percentages.
Port investments have been essential to seaports seizing the opportunity to connect more commerce and strengthen Florida’s economy. Of the $4.5 billion in seaport capital improvements identified over the next five years, 75.1% is being made in Atlantic coast seaports, with the remaining 24.9% being made by Gulf coast seaports.
The largest planned investments are for:
- Cruise terminals: 30.8%
- Cargo terminals: 21.8%
- Berth rehabilitation and repairs: 19.8%
- Site improvements: 7.9%
