Cruise passengers and cargo volumes at Port Everglades have grown exponentially over the past 20 years, and are forecast to almost double over the next 20 years as Florida’s population increases by more than 20 percent and cruise lines outdo each other with increasingly inventive new ships.
This growth seems incredible when we realize that there is a finite amount of land and waterfront available at Port Everglades, with most already in use.
Fortunately, the Port’s growth is guided by a carefully researched comprehensive Master/Vision Plan that maps out capital improvements and operational efficiencies over the next five-, 10- and 20-year horizons.
The Port’s Master/Vision Plan is not a wish list. Many of the infrastructure improvements from the original Master/Vision Plan 10 years ago are now completed or under construction.
We update the Plan every 2-5 years to consider market trends, new technology, community development and environmental initiatives.
The Plan is a roadmap that has steered Port Everglades to becoming the third-largest cruise port in the world, one of the nation’s largest containerized cargo ports and South Florida’s main hub for gasoline and jet fuel.
Port staff has been working with a consultant team for the last 18 months to update the Plan, and I invite you to be part of the process before the Plan is finalized for approval by the County Commission.
Please mark your calendar to participate in a public meeting for the 20-Year Port Everglades Master/Vision Plan Update on Wednesday, January 29, 2020, at the Anne Kolb Nature Center at West Lake Park in Hollywood, beginning at 5 p.m.
The Port’s consulting team from Bermello Ajamil & Partners will present the proposed Plan update, and I will be available with our staff to answer questions.
Florida is anticipating an influx of 5 million new residents in the next 20 years, with more than 100,000 expected to choose Broward County to call home. These new neighbors will be consumers of food, clothing, vehicles and fuel — goods that come through Port Everglades.
Many of them will join the 13,000-person workforce that makes the Port tick. In planning for the Port’s growth, we want to ensure that maintaining our delicate marine environment is in the forefront, along with traffic congestion, air quality and managed spending.
The proposed Plan includes 50 projects, of which nearly half will be completed or underway in the next five to 10 years. Here are a few highlights:
The Southport Turning Notch Extension, already under construction, will lengthen the current ship turn-around area from 900 feet to 2400 feet to add new cargo berths and crane rail infrastructure. This is the largest construction project in the Port’s history at $471 million.
In addition to three new Super Post-Panamax container cranes currently being manufactured, and due to be in service by the end of this year, the Port has an option to buy three more of the same cranes.
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Harbor Navigation Improvement Project to deepen and widen the channels received Congressional Authorization in December 2016, and will be ready to start construction later this year provided that project receives Federal funding and a New Start designation.
CenterPoint Properties is building a state-of-the-art International Logistics Center on 17 acres of Port land to replace the Port’s outdated foreign-trade zone facility. In addition to the ILC, another site at the Port has been targeted for more cold storage, which is critical as Port Everglades is the Number One perishables seaport in Florida.
A new 1,888-space parking garage to serve Cruise Terminals 2 and 4 is under construction, featuring an air-conditioned bridge with moving walkways to deliver guests to Terminal 2.
Major renovations are planned to four cruise terminals and the addition of a finger pier to increase the Port’s capacity for tomorrow’s larger cruise ships.
Slip 1 is being widened to accommodate larger oil tankers.
A People Mover to connect Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport to Port Everglades and the Greater Fort Lauderdale/Broward County Convention Center is being planned.
Numerous road improvements are planned to reduce traffic congestion.
For Port Everglades to remain competitive in the global marketplace, we need ideas to grow on a limited footprint. Come help us make these important decisions to shape our Port’s future on January 29. I look forward to seeing you.
Glenn A. Wiltshire is Acting Chief Executive and Port Director of Port Everglades.
The 20-Year Port Everglades Master/Vision Plan Update meeting will held Wednesday, January 29, at the Anne Kolb Nature Center at West Lake Park, 751 Sheridan Street, Hollywood, 33019, beginning at 5 p.m.
