News & Updates
President’s Message: August 2024
When it comes to ensuring that Floridians have access to critical commodities like food, fuel and healthcare supplies, Florida’s seaports are the essential supply chain leader.
Of course, the path to becoming America’s supply chain solution has included multiple years of significant investments that enhanced port infrastructure, increased capacity, improved cargo container handling and strengthened overall connectivity to rail and roads. The ROI on these investments has strengthened Florida’s economy, supported almost one million jobs and boosted wages.
But just as we maintain our vehicles with routine oil changes, engine repairs and new tires, we must also maintain our seaports if Florida wants to ensure critical commodities continue making it to Floridians.
Stagnant and diminished funding are taking a toll on Florida’s 16 public seaports. Florida’s seaports face over $5 billion of Capital Improvement Plan investment needs for 2024 through 2028. Said differently, our seaports annually face a one billion funding need for large, planned investments for important maintenance like berth repairs, and channel and harbor deepening for navigational depth and safety.
However, over the past ten years, we’ve seen Florida seaport funding drop from $278 billion in 2014 to $109 billion in 2024. While grateful for these investments, the challenges to maintain Florida’s supply chain leadership role – particularly when it comes to those critical commodities like food, fuel and medical supplies – is extremely challenging.
Over the last four years, Florida’s seaports have achieved significant milestones and victories as new container shipping lines from Asia, Europe and Africa, for example, have begun calling on our ports. But the competition to maintain the strength and competitiveness of our seaports depends in very large part to our ability to conduct necessary maintenance and upgrades.
Later this month, seaport directors and leadership will gather in Pensacola for our annual board meeting, and this will no doubt be a leading topic of discussion. Representative Kim Berfield will be among guests and leaders joining us.
On another note, as storm frequency begins to increase this hurricane season, I’m confident that our seaports are ready to weather the storms. They have conducted hurricane preparation scenarios and have years of experience dealing with tropical conditions. We’re all committed to ensuring we keep our maritime community and the public apprised of any port condition alerts and key information. Safety will always be our top priority.
Thank you for your support.