News & Updates

President’s Message: December 2024

Mike Rubin President & CEO

With the end of the year drawing near, I can’t help but reflect on the great success we’ve seen at Florida’s ports over the last year.

Revenue is up at Port Everglades by 18 percent, plus they saw a record four million cruise passengers.

Jobs and economic value have doubled at Port Tampa Bay, while PortMiami achieved its highest-ever cruise passenger total, with more than 8.2 million travelers embarking or disembarking cruise ships.

Revenue growth is up across all business sectors at Port Canaveral, and they saw a record 7.6 million cruise passenger movements during the fiscal year.

Port Panama City continues to thrive and grow, playing a leading economic role in the region, while Port of Pensacola is demonstrating steady cargo activity.

And JAXPORT is growing its global container services through strategic partnerships with the world’s top ocean carriers.

The positive data we’re seeing at individual seaports reflects in a new statewide economic impact study that shows Florida’s 16 seaports generate $195.5 billion in overall economic value, 1.2 million jobs and $61.7 billion in personal income. Plus, for every $1 of state investments, Florida sees a $53 ROI in state and local taxes.

We’re proud of the role Florida’s seaports play in our economy, and in getting critical commodities like food, fuel and healthcare supplies into communities across our state.

This holiday season, I want to share my sincerest thanks to all our seaports, the incredible leaders that make them efficient and resilient, and all the workers who help ensure goods get from ship to shelf quickly.

Happy Holidays!