PortMiami, one of the top ports in the U.S., processed 113,835 twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) in January 2021, an increase of 21.02 percent from the 94,064 TEUs processed in January 2020, the most active month ever recorded. Between fiscal year to date, October 1, 2020, through January 31, 2021, PortMiami processed a total of 420,838 TEUs representing the busiest four-month period for cargo activity in its history.

“I am so proud that despite the challenges of a worldwide pandemic, PortMiami is setting a record for the strongest cargo activity in its history,” said Mayor Daniella Levine Cava. “Miami-Dade County is a major global hub for trade and commerce, and cargo continues to create jobs and expand opportunities across our community. As we look to rebuild an even stronger, more resilient economy, the seaport is critical to our long-term sustainable growth and prosperity.”
“January’s cargo performance is a reflection of the resilience of our community and the role played by our seaport,” said PortMiami and Environmental Resiliency Committee Chairwoman Rebeca Sosa. “I want to thank PortMiami’s stakeholders, from terminal operators, ILA members, to our truckers for keeping a steady flow of essential cargo moving from ship to shelf during this COVID crisis – whether it’s pharmaceuticals, food or other goods critical to our community.”

The PortMiami team attributes the strong cargo performance to a solid balance of global trade and more than $1 billion of completed capital infrastructure improvements that offer shippers a deep water gateway that is -50/52 feet equipped to handle big ships. To date, the Port has welcomed more than 420 post-Panamax vessels that have called due to the completion of the Deep Dredge project, the acquisition of new zero emissions electrified Super post-Panamax cranes, freight by rail link providing a tie-in to the national rail system, and a port tunnel with direct freeway access to and from PortMiami.

January in the past has been a relatively slow month as it is after the Christmas buildup, and record months in the recent past were usually in October- due to the pre-Christmas rush. However this year the pandemic has changed things. Although we had a record breaking October of more than 107,000 TEUs, we saw a 2nd surge in January. Many people didn’t take a vacation this summer or travel much, allowing them to have additional discretionary income. Many Americans appear to be staying home and doing home improvements such as remodeling their kitchens and bathrooms- thus the increase in marble and tiles. They are at home and instead of getting a new couch every 15 years - they are ordering couches and lamps and such - thus the increase in furniture. Many people may be splurging themselves - thus the huge increase on a luxury item like cigars from the Dominican Republic. We believe the surge may continue when the next set of stimulus checks get sent in the mail.