BROWARD COUNTY, FL -- Port Everglades is now connected to the Far East with a direct ocean shipping service for the first time since 2011. The first ship in the service, MSC Rochelle, is in port today, September 30, 2022.

Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC), one of the world's largest ocean carriers, launched its new Zephyr service this summer with direct weekly connections from northern China and South Korea to the Southeast United States. The Zephyr service includes a direct call to Port Everglades, which previously had only been offered via transshipment.

"Port Everglades is experiencing a surge in cargo coming from new markets throughout the world thanks to MSC and the company's recognition of the port's growth potential as we deepen and widen our navigation channels and invest in cranes and other cargo handling infrastructure," said Port Everglades Chief Executive and Port Director Jonathan Daniels. 

The service route goes from Shanghai to Ningbo, Busan, Cristobal, Houston, Port Everglades, Savannah, Lazaro Cardenas, and back to Shanghai.

Port Everglades had a taste of China earlier this month with the arrival of the MSC Alina, another MSC ship that is not part of the Zephyr service. MSC diverted the ship from another port to Port Everglades for just one call.

ABOUT PORT EVERGLADES

A global powerhouse for international trade, Port Everglades handles an average of one million TEUs annually (20-foot equivalent units, the industry standard measurement for container volumes). The Port serves as a gateway to Latin America, the Caribbean, Europe and now Asia. Located within the Florida cities of Fort Lauderdale, Hollywood, and Dania Beach, Port Everglades is in the heart of one of the world's largest consumer regions, including a constant flow of approximately 112 million visitors statewide and six million residents within an 80-mile radius. Port Everglades has direct access to the interstate highway system and the Florida East Coast Railway's 43-acre intermodal container transfer facility and is closer to the Atlantic Shipping Lanes than any other Southeastern U.S. port. Ongoing capital improvements and expansion totaling $3 billion within the next 20 years ensure that Port Everglades continues to handle future growth in container traffic. More information about Broward County's Port Everglades is available at porteverglades.net or by calling toll-free in the United States at 1-800-421-0188 or emailing PortEvergladesCargo@broward.org.

September 30, 2022
MEDIA CONTACT: Ellen kennedy
Port Everglades External Affairs
954-468-3508
ekennedy@broward.org