The completion of PortMiami’s Deep Dredge project and On-dock Intermodal Rail begins a new era for the port.
PortMiami is the only major logistics hub south of Virginia capable of handling fully laden post-Panamax vessels. More than $1 billion of capital infrastructure projects are now complete and have transformed PortMiami to a major U.S. global gateway.
PortMiami now offers Super Post-Panamax gantry cranes that can service cargo vessels up to 22 containers wide and up to nine containers above deck and eleven containers below. On-dock intermodal rail service in partnership with Florida East Coast Railway (FECR) links PortMiami to 70 percent of the U.S. population in four days or less. Additionally, a new fast access tunnel connects the Port directly to the U.S. interstate highway system, providing rapid turnaround time for the movement of import and export goods. These projects are already providing customers with the convenience of fast reliable quality service.
"The completion of the Deep Dredge and the Intermodal On-dock Rail project are a major milestone not only for Miami-Dade County and PortMiami, but for all of Florida because the entire Sunshine State will benefit from increased trade opportunities once the expanded Panama Canal opens in 2016, said Miami-Dade County Mayor Carlos A. Gimenez. "I thank Governor Rick Scott, our state legislators, county commissioners and all who advocated for these critical projects." The completion of both projects ensures that PortMiami will remain competitive in the global marketplace."
“A new big ship era is here and PortMiami is ready,” said PortMiami Director and CEO Juan M. Kuryla. “I am proud to say that PortMiami is now able to berth Post-Panamax ships; and we are able to expedite the movement of goods throughout Florida, the continental U.S., and the world, fast and efficiently. “We are grateful to the vision of our State and local leaders for making this critical infrastructure project a reality. The completion of PortMiami’s Deep Dredge and Intermodal On-dock Rail projects cannot be overstated, PortMiami is now positioned as the most reliable, convenient and efficient global hub on the North American East Coast ready to service the world’s leading ocean carriers.”
“We congratulate our partner PortMiami on the completion of the Deep Dredge which will enable big ships to make a direct call,” said FECR President and CEO Jim Hertwig. "We have come a long way since our On-Dock Rail ground breaking in July of 2011, to the completion of the Port Tunnel last year, and now the completion of the Deep Dredge. “Today FECR runs daily Port trains with cargo going to and from global markets that reach 70% of the U.S. population in four days or less including next day service within the State of Florida and second day service throughout the Southeast.”
“When bigger ships start transiting through the expanded waterway next year, deep ports like Miami will transform maritime trade on a global scale, said CEO of the Panama Canal Authority Jorge L. Quijano. “We are proud of our long-standing partnership with PortMiami and are certain that the synergies achieved through the Deep Dredge and the Panama Canal expansion projects will boost international trade and contribute to future economic growth by increasing job opportunities and revenues at both PortMiami and the Panama Canal.”
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers managed the project.
