Port Miami posts record-breaking month for container volumes

The South Florida seaport handled nearly 100,000 TEUs of containerized cargo in August 2017, 18.5 percent more than in the same month a year ago, according to recent data from the port.    Port Miami handled 99,546 TEUs of containerized cargo in August 2017, 18.5 percent more than in the same month a year ago, according to recent data from the South Florida seaport.
   The port attributed the increase in container traffic to the infrastructure investments made to the port’s facilities, including the dredging of the channel to 50 feet, a new port access tunnel for trucking in and out of the port, the purchase of four super post-Panamax cranes, and an on-dock rail link, said the port. The infrastructure upgrades totaled $1.3 billion and was completed in 2015.
   “Our seaport has been steadily capturing new business thanks to more than $1.3 billion of completed capital infrastructure investments,” said Miami-Dade Mayor Carlos A. Gimenez. “I want to thank the PortMiami team for all it has done in working with partners to grow PortMiami as a Global Gateway.  Our Port is a vital economic engine, and its continued growth represents thousands of jobs and increased opportunities for our community.”
   The port also cited the increase of ocean services as a driving force behind rising cargo totals. Miami was added to Hapag-Lloyd’s Mediterranean Gulf service while Seaboard Marine launched two new services between Miami and South America for a total of seven services calling Miami, the port stated.
   “We are proud of our growth and expansion at PortMiami. Our goal is to continue offering fast-transit sailings to meet the needs of our existing customers, as well as new customers that will appreciate Seaboard Marine’s efficiency and reliability,” said Edward Gonzalez, president of Seaboard Marine.
   According to ocean carrier schedule and capacity database BlueWater Reporting, there are 19 container services that call Port Miami. 2M Alliance offers three services to the port, the TP11, TP16 and TA6. Ocean Alliance offers three services as well, the PEX3, Victory Bridge and Amerigo services.
   CMA CGM operates the Cagema Main Liner Services to Miami while Hapag-Lloyd operates the MGX. Antillean Marine offers Miami on all four of its container services, with Seaboard Marine operating the final seven services, as stated above.