Port Everglades was ranked the top exporting Foreign-Trade Zone in the country for warehousing and distribution activity in 2011, according to the Foreign-Trade Zones Board’s 73rd Annual Report to the U.S. Congress released January 2013. Data show that Port Everglades’ Foreign-Trade Zone No. 25 (FTZ) experienced a 68 percent increase in merchandise received during 2011, while exports from the Zone increased by 66 percent over the previous year. In 2011, merchandise received and exported from the Zone reached $3.7 billion and $3.6 billion, respectively. 



“Our FTZ leads the nation in the value of international goods handled through its facilities,” said Steven Cernak, Chief Executive & Port Director for Port Everglades. “The FTZ at Port Everglades already leads the state of Florida in meeting the goals of President Obama’s and the Federal Government’s National Export Initiative (NEI) to double the nation’s exports. We’re happy to be recognized as now leading the country in FTZ exports as well. Ports in particular are being targeted as a key component of this Initiative because of the expertise that seaport professionals have in foreign trade.” 



Port Everglades’ FTZ No. 25 is Florida’s first and largest, serving 75 businesses in its General-purpose Zone and supporting over 500 direct jobs in the local economy at 14 locations within Broward County, FL. FTZ No. 25 currently also has five Special-purpose Subzones at Port Everglades. 



“Our proximity to South America, Central America and the Caribbean makes it efficient to transport goods through our seaports and airports and re-export merchandise admitted to the Zone to these and other markets,” said Michael Vanderbeek, Port Everglades Director of Business Development. “Port Everglades’ FTZ is the most export-intensive Zone in the country, which reinforces our strategic position at the crossroads of north-south and east-west trade.”