Port Everglades sees record container volumes

Port Everglades sees record container volumes

   Port Everglades had a 22 percent increase in containerized cargo during its fiscal year ended Sept. 30, port officials said Tuesday.

   Port Everglades handled a record 797,238 TEUs of containerized cargo during the 12-month period, up from 653,628 TEUs in the 2004 fiscal year. The port said revenue from containerized cargo increased 18 percent to $24 million.

   The increase in containerized cargo was attributed primarily to the addition of two new terminal operating companies: Mediterranean Shipping Co.'s Port Everglades Terminals and the Florida International Terminals, which is owned by the parent companies of the Chilean carriers CSAV and CCNI. Officials said there was also growth for the existing terminals and carriers at the port.

   Interim port director Phillip Allen added that the port had a good year financially, in spite of rising costs related to security.

   'We are encouraged with this past year's results despite significant increases in security operations as a result of federal and state impositions. While we recognize that we will continue to face these same challenges in the future, we are optimistic that we can strike the right balance between commerce and security,' he said.