DeSantis pushes Florida ports role
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis told the U.S. Caribbean Maritime and Ports Forum that Florida seaports are critical gateways for U.S.–Caribbean shipping — highlighting Miami Beach as a hub for manufacturing and cruise‑linked logistics. His remarks foreground political support for port investment and regional routing options. (x.com)
Gov. DeSantis delivered remarks at the inaugural U.S.-Caribbean Maritime and Ports Forum on February 20, 2026, held at the Fontainebleau Miami Beach and hosted by the Atlantic Council’s Caribbean Initiative. (atlanticcouncil.org) Port trade-lane data for FY2024 show Port Everglades moved 189,787 TEUs to the Caribbean, West Palm Beach handled 166,578 TEUs to the Caribbean, and PortMiami recorded 127,458 TEUs to the Caribbean — highlighting multiple south-Florida routing options for Caribbean-bound cargo. (porteverglades.net) PortMiami reported 1,115,058 TEUs in FY2025 and a record 8,564,225 cruise passengers for the Oct.1, 2024–Sept.30, 2025 fiscal year, underscoring combined cargo and cruise capacity that affects terminal availability and berth scheduling. (miamidade.gov) (caribbeannationalweekly.com) Refrigerated (reefer) TEU moves in FY2024 were led by Port Everglades at 126,392 reefers and PortMiami at 105,881 reefers, indicating existing cold-chain throughput that supports perishables for hospitality supply lines. (porteverglades.net) State-level capital signals include Gov. DeSantis’ inclusion of roughly $120.7 million for seaport infrastructure in his FY2025–26 budget proposal and ongoing transportation investments totaling billions in the state plan, which state port officials have cited when seeking project grants. (dredgewire.com) (hklaw.com) Florida has continued targeted grants such as the $2 million state award to SeaPort Manatee announced in March 2025 for dock and roadway enhancements, while the Florida Seaport Transportation and Economic Development Council released the 2026–2030 Florida Seaport Mission Plan on Feb. 4, 2026 to guide port investments and capacity priorities. (flaports.org) (fdot.gov)
