MSC to Lease New Marine Terminal at Port Everglades

An appointed selection committee unanimously chose Mediterranean Shipping Company S.A. (MSC) to negotiate a lease and operating agreement for a 36-acre dockside container terminal at Broward County’s Port Everglades. Final approval is subject to consent from the Broward County Board of County Commissioners, the governing authority for Port Everglades. This terminal is expected to generate approximately one-million tons of cargo annually with two weekly services at Port Everglades, according to MSC officials. MSC, of Geneva, Switzerland is a privately owned shipping line, founded in 1970. The company has grown rapidly to become one of the leading global shipping lines. During recent years MSC's maritime fleet has expanded substantially to reach, in 2002, the rank of the second largest carrier worldwide in respect of container slot capacity and of the number of container vessels operated. Such growth has been achieved internally and not through acquisition or merger, according to MSC. MSC’s move from Miami to Port Everglades is expected to result in long term benefits to both the Carrier and the Shipping community. Captain Pasquale Formisano of MSC stated, “From a financial viewpoint, MSC is expecting to realize a substantial reduction in container handling cost, while from a commercial point of view, the shipping public will gain immediate access to MSC’s global network of ports in over 130 countries through out the world. MSC has over 22,000 employees looking after its cargo carrying interest, in its 310 agency owed offices worldwide. MSC has been successful in reaching more ports, by providing high speed service between its strategic regional hubs, with final delivery by direct liner or feeder vessel. MSC’s new service from Port Everglades will offer both Shipper and Importer alike, the opportunity to reach all major and minor markets everywhere. “While we were pleased with the quality of all three of the companies that presented proposals for the new terminal, the committee clearly felt MSC’s selection for Port Everglades will provide the highest and best use of the terminal and that the port will gain substantially from a partnership with MSC,” says Port Director Ken Krauter. “This will also reflect positively in the local community as MSC estimates creating additional jobs at the marine terminal and in the trucking industry.” The fully developed 36-acre container terminal has access to 3,700 linear feet of berth with a water depth of 42 feet (mean low water) and is served by seven Samsung low-profile 45-long-ton capacity (under container spreader) rail mounted Post-Panamax container gantry cranes. The Port received six responses to its “Request for Letters of Interest” for a new Southport Marine Terminal Operator, with three companies – P&O Nedlloyd/Pasha, Florida Stevedoring and MSC -- opting to make final presentations. Presentations were held before the Selection/Negotiation Committee on October 15, 2003.