PHOTO By Jas cheng – Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0 @ commons.wikimedia.org
Port Everglades in Fort Lauderdale is experiencing a year of exceptional growth in 2025 in its three main activities: cruises, cargo transport, and energy transport, which together account for 83% of the port’s revenue. The port is a unique hub, being the only seaport in the country that is close to an international airport and connected to the Florida East Coast Railway. It contributes $28 billion to Broward County’s economy and employs 12,200 people.
Port Everglades is the third largest cruise port in Florida and the world in terms of passenger numbers, behind Port Miami and Port Canaveral, which are almost equal with around 8.5 million passengers. But its growth is very strong: Joseph Morris, the port’s president, has announced a new record with a forecast of 4.77 million visitors in 2025, up +16% from 2024, following a +39% increase in 2024 compared to 2023.
The main reason for this growth is the launch of Disney cruises at the end of 2023. Morris explains: “In just under two years with us, they have welcomed more than 1.1 million visitors.” In addition, three new ships operate regularly from Port Everglades: Disney Destiny, Celebrity Xcel, and Star Princess. Operators are investing in their own islands in the Caribbean and offering good value for money experiences, which is driving demand.
The year 2026 promises to follow the same trend, especially as Royal Caribbean Cruises will be operating a massive new Icon-class ship in 2026 from Port Everglades.
This industry boosts the entire Broward County, particularly the restaurant and hotel businesses in Fort Lauderdale, Dania Beach, and Hollywood, as many travelers arrive in town a few days before their cruises begin. According to the Visit Lauderdale agency, local hotel stays originating from Port Everglades increased by 10% in 2025.
Port Everglades, Florida’s second-largest cargo port
Behind Port Tampa Bay, the Port of Fort Lauderdale broke an annual record in 2025: cargo ships serving the port and its tenants transported 1,167,552 TEUs (twenty-foot equivalent units, the standard unit of measurement for container capacity). Eighty-eight percent of trade is with the Caribbean and Latin America, which have been relatively unaffected by the Trump administration’s tariff policy.
According to Morris, there are more exports than imports. Exports are mainly used cars and, unsurprisingly, boats, as Fort Lauderdale is known as the yacht capital of the country; followed by computers, auto parts, medical equipment, textiles, perfumes, and perishables. Imports are mainly gas and oil. Goods imported by container include clothing, boats, medical instruments, and various aluminum structures.
Florida’s leading port for energy transport
Port Everglades is Florida’s leading port for oil, having transported nearly 132 million barrels in 2025. It serves 12 counties and five airports:
Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport, Miami International Airport, West Palm Beach International Airport, and as far as Key West International Airport and Southwest Florida International (Fort Myers).
Port Canaveral and Port Miami are also breaking records
Port Canaveral is growing rapidly and will surpass Port Miami in number of cruise passengers for the first time in 2025, with 8.6 million passengers, up 13%, earning it the title of Busiest Cruise Port in the World. It must be said that the authorities are not skimping and are investing $255 million to expand the infrastructure: projects include a new parking lot accommodating 3,700 vehicles at a cost of $92 million (Cruise Terminal 6);
the expansion of Terminal 5, passenger walkways, and a south-side parking lot for $96 million; as well as infrastructure improvements for cargo ships and surrounding roads.
Port Miami remains in the running with a projection of 8.56 million passengers in 2025 (+4%), and on Wednesday, December 10, the record for the number of cruise passengers in a single day was broken, with 75,000 passengers passing through Port Miami, making it the busiest port in a single day. The port also welcomed new ships, including the new Oceania Allura and Virgin Voyages’ Brilliant Lady.
Who will win the title of the world’s largest cruise port in 2026? The race is on.
