(Miami, Florida – July 15, 2013) PortMiami kicked off its Countdown to the Panama Canal 2015 campaign today with a forum that included U.S. and Panamanian officials who heralded the coming Post-Panamax era as one of the most important things to happen in shipping in the last century.

Ambassador to the U.S., Mario Jaramillo, and Panama Canal Authority V.P. Rodolfo Sabonge joined Congresswoman Frederica Wilson, and Miami-Dade County Mayor Carlos A. Gimenez in promoting the opening of an expanded Panama Canal just two years from now.  (Photograph above.)

With more than $2 billion in infrastructure investments underway, PortMiami is well positioned to capture new East-West trade opportunities expected in the coming Post-Panamax era the officials told more than 150 business and government leaders who attended the Congressional Symposium on the Panama Canal expansion hosted by Congresswoman Wilson at PortMiami this morning.

“We are counting down to what we believe is the most important thing to happen in shipping in the last 100 years—the opening of the expanded Canal,” Gimenez said.  “With more than $2 billion in infrastructure improvements now underway, PortMiami is well positioned to capture new trade opportunities as one of only three East Coast ports able to accommodate the super-sized container vessels that will pass through a wider and deeper Canal.”

Johnson said PortMiami as the first port of call on the Asia-to-US route via the Canal, will be the only Atlantic Seaboard port south of Virginia with a channel deep enough to accommodate the new generation of larger container cargo vessels that dominate the Asia-U.S. market.

“Already known as the Cargo Gateway to the Americas, we are ideally positioned to capture new East-West trade opportunities as shipping patterns shift to Atlantic ports,” Johnson said.

About PortMiami

PortMiami is among America's busiest ports and recognized across the globe with the dual distinction of being the Cruise Capital of the World and the Cargo Gateway of the Americas. PortMiami contributes more than $27 billion annually to the South Florida economy and helps provide direct and indirect employment for more than 207,000.