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For Immediate Release:
April 12, 2016

Media Contact:
Andria C. Muñiz-Amador
[email protected]
786-299-2410



PortMiami stands ready for the new Panama Canal Era


(Miami, FL – April 12, 2016) -- The countdown to the opening of the expanded Panama Canal is on and PortMiami stands ready. The opening of the expanded Panama Canal will bring new opportunities for container trade in the Atlantic shipping routes, potentially shifting the movement of goods directly from Asia to the United States East Coast.  Miami’s advantageous geographical location at the crossroads of the Americas makes PortMiami the first deep water port-of-call in the United States via the expanded locks ready to accommodate bigger ships.  Additionally, Miami is a smart entry point for goods flowing to and from Florida and other U.S. markets.  It is an ideal transfer point for the transshipment of Asian goods destined for Latin America and the Caribbean. 

In 2015 PortMiami completed the most ambitious capital infrastructure program in its history to ensure that goods move fast and efficiently from ship to shore to consumer markets.  Today Miami offers ocean carriers and shippers the advantage of the deepest shipping channel in the Southeast U.S. at -50/-52 ft., expanded towing and harbor ship services for the berthing and departure of cargo vessels, Super-post-Panamax cranes, a fast access tunnel connecting the Port directly to the U.S. Interstate Highway System as well as Florida East Coast Railway’s on-dock intermodal rail service delivering a seamless network reaching 70% of the U.S. market within four days.     
 
"The completion of the Panama Canal expansion will be a major milestone not only for Panama, but for Miami-Dade County, PortMiami, and all of Florida,” said Miami-Dade County Mayor Carlos A. Gimenez.  “We are confident that the entire Sunshine State will benefit from increased trade opportunities once the Canal opens.”

“We look forward to celebrating the completion of the Panama Canal Expansion alongside our partners at the Panama Canal Authority in June,” said Port Director and CEO Juan M. Kuryla. “The completion of the Canal will be a game changer in our industry, and there is no other port more eagerly waiting than PortMiami.  Miami is the only port on the East Coast of the United States south of Virginia more than ready to accept the post-Panamax size vessels.”

"When bigger ships start transiting through the expanded waterway, deep ports like Miami will transform maritime trade on a global scale," said CEO of the Panama Canal Authority Jorge L. Quijano. "We are proud of our long-standing partnership with PortMiami and are certain that the synergies achieved through the Deep Dredge and the Panama Canal expansion projects will boost international trade and contribute to future economic growth by increasing job opportunities and revenues at both PortMiami and the Panama Canal."

The inauguration celebration for the expanded Panama Canal is scheduled for June 26, 2016.

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.


 

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