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The new Mobile Harbour Crane series – Liebherr

 

Port Everglades setting a new port record

Three major development projects under way

PortEverglades

About a year from now, in the summer of 2014, Port Everglades expects to unveil its brand-new Intermodal Container Transfer Facility (ICTF).

Port Everglades and the Florida East Coast Railway (FEC) recently broke ground for the 42.5 acre near-dock facility, which will handle the transfer of containerised cargo through the port to and from the FEC main line.

The $53 million facility will be unique in that both domestic and international cargo will be handled on the site.

This is just one of three major development projects to be completed over the next six years, all part of the Port Everglades 20-year Master/Vision Plan, which will collectively transform the port and greatly increase its capability.

Five new berths

Port Everglades is adding five new cargo berths in its Southport Turning Notch extension project. This will expand the existing deepwater turnaround area for cargo ships from 900 ft. to 2,400 ft. at the current depth of 42 ft. A critical part of the Southport Turning Notch extension involves the replacement of 8.7 acres of an existing mangrove conservation easement with a 16.5 acre upland enhancement of some 70,000 new mangroves, plants and seeds. The project also includes the completion of various environmental initiatives in West Lake Park. The project is currently in the design phase, with construction scheduled for completion in 2017.

Port Everglades is also working with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to widen and deepen its channel from 42 ft. to 50 ft. to accommodate post panamax ships, some of which are already coming to the port, although lightly loaded. Total cost of this project is put at $320 million, including a $131 million investment by the port. 

Located at a crossroads of north-south and east-west trade lanes, Port Everglades handles nearly one million teu annually and serves as a gateway to Latin America, the Caribbean, Europe and Asia. It claims to be Florida’s leading export gateway and is one of the 12 busiest U.S. container ports for international trade. It handles a diverse range of cargo with services provided by multiple terminal operators.

IMPROVEMENTS

The expansion and infrastructure development projects now in play will put Port Everglades in a better position to benefit from developments such as the Panama Canal expansion and the implementation of new U.S. free trade agreements with Colombia, Panama and South Korea. 

Ongoing capital improvements and expansion will ensure that the port is well able to handle the future growth in container traffic.