Miami box terminal finalises modernisation project

PortMiami’s South Florida Container Terminal (SFCT) has announced that it is close to completing its three-year modernisation project to prepare for future growth.

The project focused on transforming the land into a more sustainable operation with new, electric rubber tyred gantry (RTG) cranes and added cargo storage space using a densification model which allows 2.5 times more usability in the container yard than before, according to a statement.

“We’ve designed the terminal to help logistics flow more smoothly to Florida customers while being quieter, cleaner and safer for our labour partners and neighboring communities,” commented Mark Baker, director of SFCT.

Additionally, new touchless gate kiosks were added in 2020 to improve the trucker experience, while truckers can enter and exit through weigh-in-motion scales that safely process their cargo information and keeps them moving safely and efficiently through the terminal.

“We can handle more cargo in a smaller footprint while still serving larger ships with our 50’ depth and electric gantry cranes,” said Baker, who added, “Our new fleet of RTG cranes represents the first container terminal in the US with a 100% electric fleet with zero emissions in the container yard.”

The SFCT modernisation project aligns with PortMiami’s master plan who is financing US$38 million in port infrastructure improvements.

SFCT’s new capabilities were successfully tested on larger ships on 6 April, when the 15,052TEU CMA CGM Argentina arrived, and on 16 March, when the 13,344TEU CMA CGM Christophe Columb arrived, as part of the newly upgraded container terminal’s appeal to global supply chains.