MIAMI, Dec. 23, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- PortMiami working with partner Florida East Coast Railway (FECR) posted an increase of 15 percent in containerized cargo movements for its 2015 fiscal year with a total of 1,007,800 TEUs (twenty-foot equivalent units) during the 12-month period ending September 30, 2015.
Asian trade at PortMiami is on the rise with multiple weekly services from Miami to Asia through three of the world's four major carrier alliances including the 2M, O3 and G6.
PortMiami is already capturing new trade thanks to more than $1 billion of capital infrastructure projects now complete. 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. 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 both import and export goods.
Investing in on-dock intermodal rail at PortMiami, featuring 9,000 ft. of linear track (3 x 3000 ft. separate tracks) FECR runs multiple daily trains to and from the port, providing truck-like service to both import and export shippers. "FECR currently moves around 45,000 containers annually at PortMiami and has the available capacity to handle up to 225,000 boxes yearly," said Jim Hertwig, FECR President & CEO. Together the port and FECR move a variety goods ranging from grain and fresh or frozen food products to electronics, furniture and waste products.
Establishing on-dock intermodal rail service has opened new markets for the port and FECR, allowing containers at PortMiami to load directly onto awaiting trains, with FECR delivering truck-like service via its Cocoa terminal and FEC Highway Services (the railroad's trucking arm) to Central Florida markets like Orlando. Moreover, through FECR's connection to the national rail network via efficient interchange with two Class 1 railroad in Jacksonville, the partners offer delivery within the Southeast U.S. in two days, and can reach 70% of the U.S population (124 million) within four days.
"Through the vital infrastructure improvements both FECR and the port have made we are thrilled to be able to offer customers a seamless transfer of goods from ship to rail via the on-dock rail facility, expediting Customer's cargo to market," Hertwig said. "Today we are well positioned to support vessels capable of hauling more than 10,000 TEU's, and will continue to promote multi-modal shipping and support global trade into and out of South Florida alongside our partners at PortMiami."
With Florida continuing to see growth, now the 3rd largest population in the U.S. with 100 million out-of-state visitors annually, and the increased TEU movements PortMiami is seeing, FECR has taken additional steps in order to be big ship ready alongside its port partner. Increasing their available power by purchasing 24 new GE ES44C4 Tier 3 locomotives last year, and working to double-track the majority of its 351-mile mainline track from Jacksonville to Miami to provide additional schedules trains. "More than 10% of the TEUs handled at PortMiami are now delivered to or depart from the docks via an FECR train. An amount that could reach 25% when the larger post-panamax vessels call at PortMiami," Hertwig said.
Additionally, a completed -50/-52 ft. dredge project now allows the Port to accommodate the largest container vessels sailing the oceans, including neo-Panamax vessels that can carry up to 14,000 TEUs that will be able to transit the new Panama Canal when the project is completed in April. These projects are already providing customers with the convenience of fast reliable quality service.
"PortMiami is now welcoming big ships," said Port Director and CEO Juan M. Kuryla. It is the only major global trade hub south of Virginia capable of handling bigger, more modern Post-Panamax ships. Working together with our intermodal partners at FEC Rail we expect this pattern at PortMiami to further increase once the expanded Panama Canal opens next year. Growth in international trade and commerce at PortMiami is only getting stronger."
Watch this video here, to learn more about FECR and PortMiami.
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.
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, Florida, to move cargo originating or terminating there. Based in Jacksonville, Florida, 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.
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