To expedite perishable cargo transport from Port Everglades, trucks from the Chiquita Ripening Center and International Warehouse Services (IWS) fumigation facility are now permitted to exit from Eller Drive between midnight and 4 a.m. in addition to regular hours of 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. (the gate is closed from 4-6 a.m. and from 10 p.m. to midnight). This exception only applies to the two facilities.
"As the leading perishable seaport in Florida, we understand the need to move perishable commodities faster so that they are fresher when they arrive to the marketplace," said Steven Cernak, Port Everglades Chief Executive & Port Director. "We applaud U.S. Customs & Border Protection for recognizing this need and working with port staff and our customers to find a solution. These extended hours help speed goods to market."
Prior to this time extension, perishables that were treated late in the day could not exit past 10 p.m. due to security gate closures. Now, security officers will open the gates past midnight for Chiquita and IWS to make deliveries.
"The perishable industry brought this problem up and the staff at Port Everglades resolved it immediately. This is just one example of their commitment to perishable cargo," said IWS President and Chief Executive Fred Rogacki.
Port Everglades is the state leader in perishable throughput, moving nearly half of all the refrigerated containers in Florida.