Port Everglades logs decline in TEUs for FY2016

Port Everglades' total 20-foot-equivalent units (TEU) declined 2 percent in fiscal-year 2016 compared with the previous year, port officials announced yesterday.

However, the port still exceeded 1 million TEUs for the third consecutive year, according to preliminary data for the fiscal year that ended Sept. 30, according to a Port Everglades press release.

Port officials attributed the decrease in 2016 to market fluctuations.

The port also posted its best September ever — at 90,641 TEUs — in FY2016.

Bulk and break bulk cargo rose 13 percent to 1.76 million tons, and petroleum volumes increased 3.6 percent to 121 million barrels in FY2016 compared with FY2015's results.

Milestones for the past year included renewing long-term agreements with Florida International Terminal LLC, King Ocean Services Ltd. Inc. and Crowley Liner Services. Also, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has approved a long-awaited economic and environmental report that cleared the way for the port to begin the preconstruction engineering and design phase to deepen and widen its channels from 42 feet to 48-50 feet.