Florida’s 15 seaports make a big splash economically for the state. According to the recently released Florida Ports Council Five-Year Seaport Mission Plan, waterborne trade was valued at $86 billion in 2015. The ports handled 103 million tons of cargo last year and nine of 10 of the state’s cargo ports increased tonnage.

At long last, the much-anticipated Panama Canal’s $5.3 billion expansion is set to open on June 26. It will be interesting to see how global trade routes respond in relation to the Suez Canal. There has been a big investment in Florida port infrastructure, as they trade with more than 200 countries. The investment in port infrastructure, already in the hundreds of millions of dollars, is expected to reach $3.7 billion over the next five years.

We will take a deep dive on Florida trade in a future feature. The following videos bring us up close and personal with Port Tampa Bay and the arrival of its post-Panamax cranes delivered from China. The recent announcement of Ceres Terminals as the operator of JAXPORT’s new on-dock rail facility, the Intermodal Container Transfer Facility at Dames Point.

And last but not least a look at Port Everglades’ Fleet Week that took place May 2 to 9. A flotilla of Navy and Coast Guard vessels invaded Fort Lauderdale.

When it comes to Florida, our ports deliver treasures, from cruise passengers to trade.

Photo Credit: Top image courtesy of Port Tampa Bay.