PortMiami’s Deep Dredge project will deepen the Port’s channel from its current 42-foot depth to minus 50-52 feet in preparation for the Panama Canal Expansion, scheduled to be completed in late 2014 or early 2015. The Deep Dredge will make PortMiami one of only two U.S. ports South of Norfolk that can accommodate the new, mega cargo vessels that will pass through the expanded Panama Canal.
The deepening of Miami’s channel will double its cargo throughput capacity. Due to PortMiami’s ideal geographic location, the world’s largest shipping lines offer regular service from PortMiami to more than 100 countries in more than 250 ports around the world. Over $2 billion in capital improvement projects, including the on-port railway restoration and tunnel, are aiding the transformation of Miami and the State of Florida into a global logistics hub.
PortMiami will be one of only three U.S. Atlantic ports to be at -50 feet when the expanded Panama Canal opens in late 2014 or early 2015. The deeper depth will allow it to accommodate new, larger Post-Panamax vessels that will be traversing the Canal. As the closest U.S. port to Panama, PortMiami expects to benefit from increased Asian trade. The Army Corps of Engineers will commence work early in 2013, and is expected to complete it by late 2014. The project has been budgeted to cost $150 million.