Port Everglades is pleased to announce that Florida International Terminal, LLC (FIT), a marine terminal operator, has earned the International Organization for Standardization (ISO 9001:2008) certification. “This certification demonstrates FIT’s commitment to efficiency, dedication and quality service,” said Port Everglades Director Phil Allen. “We hope this measure continues attracting commerce to the Port; supplying South Florida’s residents and businesses with diverse international products such as fruits and wine; and fostering prosperity for all associated businesses utilizing Port Everglades or those supporting businesses operating from our central South Florida location.” FIT has operated a multi-use, or third party, cargo terminal at Port Everglades since 2005. The terminal operator enabled Port Everglades to expand its reach in the South American market by handling proprietary cargo from Chilean-based CSAV (Compañía Sudamericana de Vapores) and CCNI (Compañía Chilena de Navegación Interoceánica). FIT operates a 36-acre container terminal in the Southport area of Port Everglades with access to five berths and seven gantry container cranes.
FIT was formed as a result of the association of two large Latin American Port Operators, SAAM and AGUNSA, both linked to the oldest and largest Chilean steamship companies CSAV (Compañía Sudamericana de Vapores) and CCNI (Compañía Chilena de Navegación Interoceánica), with the purpose to manage and operate a marine facility located in Port Everglades, Florida in the United States. FIT’s current international clients include CSAV, CCNI, Libra, Hamburg Süd, Hapag Lloyd, Alianca, Zim, Bringer, and K Line. A global organization based in Geneva, Switzerland, the ISO has published over 17,000 standards for a sustainable world since its inception and is made up of more than 170 country members. After successfully passing all stages of internal and external audits, FIT received its ISO 9001:2008 Quality Management Certification. “We hope that this achievement is just another way to demonstrate to our customers our serious commitment to what we have strived to provide all along: Quality Service in Terminal and Vessel Operations,” said Jose Diaz, Vice President and General Manager of FIT. The International Organization for Standardization (ISO) certification is part of a quality management system where an organization demonstrates its ability to consistently provide a product that meets customer and regulatory requirements, and aims to enhance customer satisfaction through the effective application of the system, including processes for continual improvement and the assurance of conformity. A company or organization that has been independently audited and certified to be in conformance with ISO 9001 may publicly state that it is “ISO 9001 certified.” Port Everglades is one of the nation’s leading container ports and a trade gateway to Latin America and Caribbean. As one of South Florida’s leading economic powerhouses, Port Everglades is the gateway for international trade. Port Everglades has direct access to the interstate highway system, is within two miles of the FEC rail hub, and is just one mile from the Atlantic Shipping Lanes. Ongoing capital improvements and expansion ensure that Port Everglades will have the ability to handle the Port’s growing container traffic. A world-class cargo handling facility, Port Everglades serves as an ideal point of entry for products shipped around the world. The total value of economic activity at Port Everglades is almost $18 billion and approximately 185,000 Florida jobs are impacted by the Port. Port Everglades, located within the cities of Fort Lauderdale, Hollywood, and Dania Beach, Florida, is governed by the Broward County Board of County Commissioners.