Florida’s busiest container port to get major expansion

PORT EVERGLADES, Fla. (AP) — Florida’s busiest container port has received approval to begin the largest expansion in its history.

Port Everglades just outside Fort Lauderdale received unanimous approval from Broward County commissioners to begin the $437 million expansion that is scheduled to be completed by early 2022.

The expansion will include up to five larger berths to handle the bigger ships that have begun arriving because of last year’s expansion of the Panama Canal. Three to five larger cranes will also be purchased after approval by the board.

The port has operating revenues of about $163 million annually and does not rely on local taxes for operation. It does get state grants, however.