FIT Opens New Cargo Terminal at Port Everglades

 Florida International Terminal, LLC. (FIT) is opening a new 32-acre containerized cargo terminal at Broward County’s Port Everglades with double the number of entry gates, and adding new scales, heavy equipment, technology and increased stacking capacity. FIT is already one of the largest cargo terminal operators at Port Everglades and is relocating to make way for the largest capital improvement project in the Port’s history.

In the past fiscal year (October 1, 2017 through September 30, 2018), FIT experienced 17 percent growth with approximately 226,000 TEUs (20-foot equivalent units, the industry standard measurement for container volumes). Perishables cargo accounts for approximately 15 percent of FIT’s total containers volumes.

"FIT is a terrific example of how a company can be born at Port Everglades and grow into a regional leader that brings international business and jobs to Broward County," said Port Everglades Deputy Port Director Glenn Wiltshire during an inaugural ceremony on October 22, 2018.

Improvements at FIT’s new terminal include:

Six lanes entering the terminal with scales and two outbound lanes

An appointment system will be implemented with a VIP lane for refrigerated cargo

New yard tractor fleet and upgraded container handling equipment

Resilient information technology systems with quick disaster recovery abilities

Addition of up to 350 new power plugs for refrigerated containers

"We have installed a lot of new technology to better monitor gate traffic and what is happening throughout the terminal," said FIT Vice President & General Manager Klaus Stadthagen. "By improving efficiency we are helping our customers, the shipping lines, develop their business. Our success is dependent upon our customers' success."

In the next five years, Port Everglades is investing nearly $1 billion in infrastructure improvements to increase cargo volumes. Expansion projects include adding new cargo berths, installing new Super Post-Panamax container gantry cranes, increasing the lift capacity on existing cranes, and deepening and widening the Port’s navigation channels.