MIAMI, March 14, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Containerized cargo volumes continue to grow at PortMiami. The Port posted an eight percent increase for the first four months of fiscal year 2015-2016 compared to last year, and in January alone cargo moves increased approximately 20 percent.
PortMiami is now servicing bigger ships. In the past six months the Port has seen a trend in container vessels with more than 40 ft. drafts berth at the Port, including vessels that will soon be able to transit the new Panama Canal once the project is completed later this year.
PortMiami officials attribute the new trends and continued volume growth to more than $1 billion of capital infrastructure projects recently completed. Miami now offers shippers and ocean carriers the deepest channel in the Southeast U.S. at -50/-52 ft. Its fast-access tunnel connecting the Port directly to the U.S. Interstate Highway System, as well as the Florida East Coast Railway (FECR) on-dock intermodal rail service that allows a seamless transfer of goods from ship to rail, provide rapid turnaround time for the movement of both import and export goods while delivering a seamless network reaching 70 percent of the U.S. population within four days.
"Together the Port and FECR move a variety of goods ranging from grain and food products to electronics, furniture and waste products. Accompanying the Port's growth, FECR saw a substantial increase from the previous year in intermodal volume at the on-dock rail facility," said Jim Hertwig, Florida East Coast Railway President & CEO. "Today we are positioned to support vessels capable of hauling more than 10,000 TEU's, and FECR will continue to promote multi-modal shipping and support global trade into and out of South Florida, alongside our partners at PortMiami."
"The world is taking notice of PortMiami's continued growth and performance," said Miami-Dade County Mayor Carlos A. Gimenez. "I'm proud that PortMiami was recently ranked among the fastest-growing seaports in the nation, and we're just getting started!"
"PortMiami's top trading regions are well diversified," said Port Director and CEO Juan M. Kuryla. "We are confident that international trade and commerce at PortMiami will only get stronger as we continue to work on expanding our services into emerging markets such as Africa, Asia, India and others. We are continually striving to create new programs, incentives and infrastructure accommodations for our customers. Additionally, the completion of the Panama Canal expansion will be a game changer for Miami, as there is no other port on the east coast south of Virginia capable of handling neo-Panamax vessels."
About Florida East Coast Railway
The Florida East Coast Railway (FECR) is a 351-mile freight rail system located along the east coast of Florida. It is the exclusive rail provider for PortMiami, Port Everglades, and Port of Palm Beach. FECR connects to the national railway system in Jacksonville, Fla., to move cargo originating or terminating there. Based in Jacksonville, Fla., FECR provides end-to-end intermodal and carload solutions to customers who demand cost-effective and premium quality. For more information, visit www.fecrwy.com
About PortMiami
PortMiami is among America's busiest ports and recognized as a global gateway. PortMiami contributes more than $27 billion annually to Miami-Dade County and generates 207,000 direct, indirect, and induced jobs. For more information please visit www.portmiami.biz.
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SOURCE Florida East Coast Railway
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