Maintaining A World-Class Seaport

For three-quarters of a century, Port Everglades has been a vital contributor to the economic success of South Florida and remains a dynamic business force with annual operating revenues exceeding $105 million this year and total waterborne commerce topping 27 million tons. In 2005, Port Everglades experienced:

• 5,901 total ship calls
• Container cargo revenue of more than $24 million
• Cruise revenue of $30 million
• 5 million tons of container cargo and
• 3.8 million cruise passengers

Conveniently situated near the Atlantic Ocean shipping lanes, the Florida East Coast railway, Florida's highway system, Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport and the beautiful beaches of Greater Fort Lauderdale and Hollywood, Port Everglades remains one of the nation's top seaports with an internationally renowned reputation. Nearly 20 cruise lines and 35 cargo shipping lines conduct business at Port Everglades. Indeed, Port Everglades is known as the "world's finest cruise port" providing guests with a wide array of cruise vacation options. The Port is also South Florida's primary bulk cargo depot, a major petroleum storage and distribution hub and a favorite U.S. Navy liberty port.

A critical component for those in the import/export business, the Port's Foreign-Trade Zone (FTZ #25) expects the value of goods passing through this year to exceed the $400 million mark. Companies operating within FTZ #25 enjoy improved cash flow, lower tariff rates and taxes, reduced insurance costs, upgraded quality control and no custom clearance delays.

With a long and interesting history in the Fort Lauderdale area, Port Everglades, originally known as Lake Mabel or Bay Mabel Harbor, was officially established as a deep-water harbor in 1927 by the Florida State Legislature and dedicated in 1928. The Port's jurisdiction now encompasses a total of 2,190 acres (887 hectares) with world-class cruise, cargo and petroleum facilities including 11 cruise terminals, 356,800 square feet (33,148 square meters) of warehouse space, 32 deep-water berths (more than 25,000 lineal feet/7,600 meters) and 13 privately owned petroleum terminals.