FUTURE-PROOFING FLORIDA
Port Everglades: Powering Regional Trade and Growth A global powerhouse for international trade, Port Everglades handles more than 1 million TEUs annually, serving as a vital gateway to Latin America and the Caribbean. Strategically located in South Florida—one of the world’s largest consumer regions—the port moves goods efficiently, with 80% of its trade staying within 80 miles to serve more than six million people. The port’s privately operated marine terminals connect to 150 ports in 70 countries and manage a wide range of cargo including containers, refrigerated products, automobiles, dry and breakbulk cargo, RO/RO, yachts, and liquid bulk. Leading ocean carriers such as CMA CGM, Crowley, Hapag-Lloyd, Maersk, and others offer shippers flexibility and choice. With direct interstate access and a 43-acre Intermodal Container Transfer Facility linking to the Florida East Coast Railway, Port Everglades ensures goods reach 70% of the U.S. population within four days. The port continually invests in infrastructure to support long- term growth. In 2023, it completed the installation of six new Super Post-Panamax gantry cranes, bringing its total to 15. The 2024 Master/Vision Plan update identifies more than $3 billion in capital improvements to boost productivity in the cargo, cruise, and energy business lines. Additional improvements include replacing aging bulkheads and deepening and widening the harbor to accommodate larger vessels. These initiatives will improve efficiency and strengthen environmental resilience. An essential economic engine for Florida, Port Everglades generates $28.1 billion in business activity each year and supports more than 200,000 jobs statewide. It also manages Foreign- Trade Zone No. 25, which covers all of Broward County and allows businesses to defer, reduce, or eliminate import duties—helping companies stay competitive while bolstering local industry. Ranked in the Top 20% of ports worldwide for operational performance by the World Bank and S&P Global, Port Everglades continues to deliver on its mission: “powering trade, fueling growth, and strengthening Florida’s position in the global supply chain,” says Joseph Morris, CEO and Port Director.
The first of two Advanced Air Mobility vertiports is under construction at FDOT’s SunTrax in Auburndale. These specialized hubs will support transportation via innovative aircraft such as drones and air taxis.
The state is also breaking ground on the nation’s first infrastructure for Advanced Air Mobility (AAM), an emerging aviation concept that uses new types of aircraft—often electric or hybrid-electric and capable of eVTOL—to move people and cargo efficiently across urban, regional, and rural environments. “Through our Moving Florida Forward initiative, we are making record infrastructure investments and completing projects ahead of schedule to meet the needs of our growing state,” says Gov. DeSantis. To further support Florida’s freight traffic along the I-4 corridor, which has one of the largest truck parking deficits throughout the state, FDOT will also be constructing a new 100-space truck parking facility in Polk County at the Polk Parkway and I-4 interchange. This advancement reflects the state’s commitment to fiscal prudence by maximizing available resources, as the new truck parking facility will utilize existing right-of-way within the interchange. With 75% of Florida’s total freight moved by trucks, Gov. DeSantis has remained committed to expanding critical truck parking facilities throughout the state to support this vital industry. The construction of the first of two AAM vertiports is officially underway at FDOT’s SunTrax testing facility, which will be expanded to a statewide network of interconnected commercial vertiports. These facilities are intended to serve as a complementary part of the existing transport system, especially within or near urban areas, to facilitate advanced air mobility and shorter travel times. The SunTrax facility will establish the nation’s first-ever AAM aerial test bed and dedicated airspace, driving innovative research and development for this emerging technology. FDOT will release additional announcements related to Florida’s role in AAM in the coming months. With copious existing resources and ambitious efforts to future-proof its logistics assets, Florida promises to remain out in front of the rapidly growing advances in supply chain and logistics sphere. n
60 Inbound Logistics • November 2025
Powered by FlippingBook