Port Everglades Association
Wednesday, June 4, 2025. The Annual 17th Economic Engine Performance Report Luncheon Presentation was held last Friday at Broward Convention Center and was well attended by over 600 people. Our panel, spearheaded by Russell Branford, our Moderator, V. P. Government Relations, Americas - Royal Caribbean Group, enthusiastically talked about new developments and trends coming to Broward County. It was a raving success! Thank you to all those who participated.
Mark your calendar for our Port Everglades Association Summer Program. Just as the Friday, June 27, 2025 “Piloting Port Everglades” program at Lauderdale Yacht Club comes a week early, to avoid conflict with Fourth of July weekend, Port Everglades Association is scheduling two luncheons in August, the 1st and 29th – to avert Labor Day weekend, so be sure to mark your calendars in advance
Friday, June 27, 2025. Port Everglades Association presents our next monthly business luncheon at Lauderdale Yacht Club. 11.30am – 1.30pm. (This is our July get together.) We are pleased to highlight Port Everglades Pilots Association. They do an extraordinary job, and we are proud to host Capt. Brendon McDonnell, guest presenter, one of the 15 co-managing pilots and 4 deputy pilots of Port Everglades Pilots Association. Pilots are essential to life in Port Everglades navigating literally thousands of cruise ships and vessels in and out of the port. Their training is 2 ½ years long. Capt. McDonnell plans to discuss the crucial role of the Port Everglades Pilots Association, which has been navigating ships safely since 1931. This elite group of carefully chosen mariners provides compulsory marine pilotages for all seagoing vessels calling on Port Everglades. All pilots hold dual licenses issued by the State of Florida and the U.S. Coast Guard. Capt. McDonnell also looks to talk about the importance of a wider channel to ensure safe, swift navigation of the increasingly large vessels calling in the port. Port Everglades CEO and Port Director Joseph Morris plans to offer his perspective on the remarkable partnership between Broward County’s seaport and the Pilots and provide an update on the latest at the seaport and in our industry. Reservations are now being accepted. www.portbiz.org. 954.463 2801.
Port Everglades' economic impact rises to $28.1B. Further growth is expected this year with a record 4.4m cruise passengers. Port Everglades generated almost $28.1B in economic activity during fiscal 2024 (October to October), 6% higher than in 2023. Cargo and cruise sectors support more than 204,300 jobs, a 6% increase year over year. This includes approximately 12,270 jobs that are directly dependent on the port’s business activity, a 13.9% increase. For induced jobs, more than 9,550 positions were generated in the greater Fort Lauderdale area. Approximately 9,430 indirect jobs were supported by the $785.9m spent locally by companies providing services for the cargo and cruise terminals, as well as businesses that ship and receive cargo.
Cruise Fleet Passenger Capacity to Grow by 30 Percent by 2033. The global cruise fleet is set to add over 70 new ships entering service from 2025 through 2023, growing the fleet to over 500 cruise ships, excluding potential retirements, according to the 2025 Cruise Industry News Annual Report. For 2025, the passenger capacity is forecast to grow by 6.5 percent, with the full fleet sailing, plus new ships entering service, and 6 percent in 2026, dropping to 4 percent in 2027. The average annual growth rate from 2025 through 2033 is estimated at about 3 percent a year. In actual numbers, the passenger capacity is projected to grow from 34 million (double occupancy) at the start of this year to nearly 44 million by the end of 2033.
Wednesday June 4, 2025. Cruise Ship Interiors Expo. Miami Beach Convention Center. Last day today for the expo. www.cruiseshipinteriors-expo.com
Thursday, June 5, 2025. Greater Fort Lauderdale, 7th edition, Leadership Summit. 8am-11am. Riverside Hotel. The Summit examines S. Florida’s future from ports to tourism, transit & regional innovation economy. [email protected] 786.870.4733.
Wednesday, June 18, 2025. Port Everglades Trade Partner Webinar Series presents Brazil - Brasil Terminal Portuario (BTP) featuring Mr. Claudio Oliveira CEO. Brazil is Port Everglades’ #2 ranked commercial trade partner. In 2024, bilateral trade was valued at over US$ 2,085 billion. Mr. Oliveira will provide an in-depth presentation on BTP’s latest developments and infrastructure investments. Webinar via Microsoft Teams 10am – 11am. Register [email protected] 954 253 4407.
Saturday, September 27, 2025. Seafarers’ House is honored to announce Alexandra Anagnostis-Irons, Founder, CEO, Total Marine Solutions (TMS) as the recipient of the 2025 International Golden Compass Award which is conferred annually to individuals who have achieved distinction within the maritime industry. TMS delivers innovative, MARPOL-compliant solutions and training to the cruise, commercial, offshore, yacht, government, and port sectors. Celebrating its 25th anniversary this year. The 2025 International Golden Compass Gala will commence at 6:30 p.m. Bahia Mar Resort, Fort Lauderdale with a cocktail reception, silent auction, followed by dinner, formal award presentation. [email protected] 954.734.1580.
The 2025 Atlantic hurricane season, which runs until November 30, 2025 is predicted to be above-normal, with a 60% chance of an above-normal season. NOAA forecasts a range of 13 to 19 total named storms, including 6-10 hurricanes, and 3-5 major hurricanes. Be prepared, have a family preparedness plan. Be safe. www.broward.org/hurricane.
Lori Baer Executive Director, Port Everglades Association. 954.463.2801. www.portbiz.org.
OMNI FORT LAUDERDALE HOTEL. OPENING IN SEPTEMBER, 2025.
801 GUEST ROOMS, 82 SUITES, STUNNING VIEWS OF INTRACOASTAL WATERWAY & ATLANTIC OCEAN.
SIX DINING VENUES, 10TH FLOOR POOLSIDE RESTAURANT, CLASSIC ITALIAN CHOPHOUSE,
REEF 76 KITCHEN & BAR, - COASTAL CUISINE & FRESH SEAFOOD. FAIR KETCH, A SPORTS BAR FEATURING A TOPGOLF SWING SUITE, IBIS SKY LOUNGE, - ROOFTOP BAR, HIDDEN KEY & LEEWARD MARKET – CASUAL ALL-DAY FARE, MOKARA SPA, ROOFTOP POOL DECK, 120,000 SQ FT MEETING SPACE. EXPECTING TO GENERATE $450 MILLION IN ECONOMIC IMPACT & CREATE 3,000 JOBS.
Gain first-hand knowledge of ideas and plans which affect Port Everglades and port businesses at the city, county, state and federal levels.
