Florida Seaport System Plan - SeaCIP

Florida Seaport System Plan
Florida’s competitive position is in large part due to its continued growth in
seaport capacity and rapid growth in population. Over the last 20 years, Florida’s
ports have experienced strong growth in containerized cargo. Among South
Atlantic and Gulf states, Florida ranked first in TEUs in 1990 and 2009; Florida
ranked second only to Georgia in TEUs added during the period 1990-2009.
While the growth story has been very positive over the past 20 years, the past 7
years have seen relatively little change in Florida’s Atlantic coast TEUs and
tonnage, due in large part to the effects of the recession. Growth rates for
Atlantic coast competitors were higher, mostly on the strength of growth at
Savannah prior to the recession. In the Gulf, Florida’s TEU growth has been
very rapid, even with the recession, due to the introduction of new facilities and
services, but its traditional strength in bulk tonnage has declined.
Regional and Statewide Waterborne Activity Forecasts
Regional and statewide projections were developed for use as a planning tool,
similar to other statewide modal system forecasts. Generally, ports plan on a 5
to 10-year horizon. The waterborne industry is very dynamic and because so
much can change in a period of 30 years, these forecasts are used as order of
magnitude estimates of what the future could look like over the next 25 years.
Understanding potential cargo and passenger volumes is a critical factor driving
major investment decisions, like dredging to 50-feet or constructing major
Interstate connections. Forecasts show container growth continues at a historic
rate with tonnage and cruise growth resuming after the recession at slightly
lower rates (see Figure ES.4). The cumulative growth rate for 2008-2035 is
shown at 3.6 percent for containers, 2.5 percent for tonnage, and 2.1 percent for
cruise passengers.
Florida Department of Transportation
December 2010
ES-7