About transportation logistics and container shipping in Florida
Florida has a strategic location, big ports, and transportation systems. The state has major seaports like Port Everglades, PortMiami, JAXPORT, and Port Canaveral, which handle a lot of cargo, especially shipping containers, cars and special projects.
These ports are also key destinations for cruise ships. To connect these ports with markets at home and abroad, Florida has crucial highways and railways. This setup helps logistics companies work more efficiently when distributing goods.
Florida Geographic advantages
- Strategic location: Florida offers direct access to international trade routes in Latin America, Europe and the Caribbean.
- Coastal access: The state has deep-water seaports along both the Atlantic and the Gulf coasts, serving a wide range of shipping needs, primarily containerized goods, vehicles, machinery, merchandise and other items.
Florida's Major Ports and Their Specialties
- Port Everglades (Fort Lauderdale): A central logistics hub on the Atlantic coast that specializes in high-value, temperature-sensitive cargo and serves as a key port for petroleum products and containerized goods. It also offers the benefits of a Foreign Trade Zone.
- PortMiami: A huge amount of traffic for international commerce and the cruise industry.
- JAXPORT (Jacksonville): JAXPORT is the Florida's largest container port in the state and stands out as a major player in vehicle handling, ensuring competitive transit times to global destinations.
- Port Canaveral: A major cruise port, it also handles project cargo for the space industry and is expanding its cargo facilities.
- Port of Tampa Bay: Another important port that manages a wide range of cargo types.
- Other ports: Florida has a total of 16 public ports, including important hubs such as the Port of Palm Beach, SeaPort Manatee, and Port Panama City.
Transportation infrastructure in Florida
- Intermodal connectivity: Major highways such as I-95, I-595 and Florida's Turnpike provide access to Port Everglades and direct rail service is also available.
- Airports: Major international airports in South Florida, like Miami International Airport, enhance the efficiency of intermodal goods movement alongside the seaports.
- Third-party logistics (3PL) providers: The strategic location and strong infrastructure of Florida make it appealing for 3PL companies looking to provide quick and cost-effective distribution solutions.



