By
Rebecca Gibson |
Have any operators approached Port Everglades as a potential homeport for their Cuba-bound ferries?
Several ferry companies have expressed interest in sailing from Port Everglades and the US Office of Foreign Assets Control has already approved a licence for Baleària to operate a -passenger ferry to Cuba. Baleària currently operates an existing service from Port Everglades to the Bahamas. However, the company has not yet received approval from the Cuban government.
Why would Port Everglades be a good homeport for a cruise or ferry service between the US and Cuba?
Prior to the embargo we had a long history of offering Cuba ferry services and US Customs and Border Protection is familiar with our ferry operations. Plus, our close proximity to Cuba allows for fast and efficient transit times for both passenger and cargo operations.
In addition, we’re located in the heart of southern Florida between Miami and Palm Beach, which are located within a day’s drive for around 110 million combined seasonal and permanent consumers. Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport, which offers low-cost flights, is also less than two miles away.
What benefits would these contracts bring to the port and the local economy?
As the second busiest cruise port in the world, Port Everglades supports 6,600 direct cruise jobs that generate nearly US$500 million in personal income and contribute US$176 million in state and local taxes. Between 1 October 2013 and 30 September 2014 (financial year 2014), around 121,321 embarking, and disembarking ferry passengers passed through Port Everglades on a daily basis, which generated nearly US$170,000 in port fees. All of these numbers are expected to rise if Baleària and other ferry and cruise operators are allowed to enter the Cuban marketplace.