PortMiami enjoyed its busiest month on record in January 2021 with a year-on-year (YoY) increase of 21.02%, which meant it also processed more containers over a four-month period than ever before.
The Port said it processed 113,835 TEU in the month of January and 420,838 since the beginning of October 2020. It did so despite the uncertainty caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, which has caused volume fluctuations at ports across the US.
Port officials attributed the record volume to the “solid balance of global trade” and $1 billion of completed capital infrastructure improvements that offer shippers a deep-water gateway to handle the world’s largest vessels.
The Port said its Deep Dredge project has attracted more than 420 post-Panamax vessels. It has also been helped by new zero-emission electrified Super post-Panamax cranes and rail freight connectivity which leads directly to the national rail system and a tunnel with direct freeway access to and from its terminals.
Miami Mayor Daniella Levine Cava described Miami-Dade Country as a “global hub for trade and commerce” and that cargo is critical to job creation and economic opportunities.
“As we look to rebuild an even stronger, more resilient economy, the seaport is critical to our long-term sustainable growth and prosperity,” Cava concluded.
PortMiami and Environmental Resiliency Committee Chairwoman Rebeca Sosa also commented, “January’s cargo performance is a reflection of the resilience of our community and the role played by our seaport.
“I want to thank PortMiami’s stakeholders, from terminal operators, ILA members, to our truckers for keeping a steady flow of essential cargo moving from ship to shelf during this COVID crisis – whether it’s pharmaceuticals, food or other goods critical to our community.”
In January, the Port welcomed the passing of the Water Resources Development Act (WRDA), federal legislation to help US seaports and freight waterways recover from the worst affects of the pandemic.
