Seaports in Florida are ready and willing to help with the supply chain crisis plaguing the U.S. On Friday, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis announced incentive programs to entice companies to abandon clogged ports in California and head to Florida. DeSantis made this announcement during a press conference at the Jacksonville Port Authority (JAXPORT). Florida can handle the demand because of the state’s continuous investment into its seaports.
At the press conference, DeSantis said, “Year after year we continue to invest in our seaports, in infrastructure, and in workforce education to make sure our supply chain is resilient, while other U.S. ports are just now announcing around-the-clock operations, in Florida, many of our ports are used to serving Florida farmers, families, and businesses with 24-hour operations.”
DeSantis stressed that he wanted Americans to receive their Christmas presents on time this holiday season.
Since 2019, Florida has invested over $1 billion to support the seaports. Along with the seaports, the state has invested in infrastructure to ensure the roadways can handle freight demands. Over the next few years, the Florida Department of Transportation will invest an additional $200 in infrastructure improvements. The investment will ensure there are no significant delays or jams.
Florida’s seaports include Port Everglades on the Atlantic coast, Port Tampa Bay, and Port Panama City on the Gulf of Mexico.
Florida stands ready to alleviate the shipping bottleneck in other states. pic.twitter.com/XCvuuppB9A
— Ron DeSantis (@GovRonDeSantis) October 19, 2021
Florida port officials didn’t disclose the financial incentives, but spokeswoman Lisa Wolf-Chason said, “The port was working with cargo terminal operator Ports America to offer extremely competitive all-inclusive rates for larger container services, including ocean carriers that can deliver at least 25,000 full 40-foot-equivalent containers per year.”
She also said they had been talking to Walmart, Amazon, and Home Depot, and the companies are evaluating Tampa.
The Jacksonville Port will offer financial incentives, including “negotiable rates on a per-container basis for new ocean carrier services.” Port Tampa Bay president said during the press conference, “Reroute your cargo to come to Florida. We stand ready to offer you incentives that will make it ideal in cost savings.”
One European container ship supply has taken DeSantis up on his offer and is using Jaxport for its U.S. unloading destination. The company is bringing an extra 1,000 containers per week through the port. A ship arriving from India is expected to bring another 9,000 containers.
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