Port Everglades Adopts International Sister Seaports Program |
Building on its surging trade volumes, Port Everglades is launching an International Sister Seaports program and already has two seaports interested in becoming part of Broward County's international family. Officials from the Port of Olbia, located on the Italian island of Sardinia, and a delegation for the seaport city of Shanghai, China, have visited Port Everglades in the past year and expressed the desire to develop a formal information-sharing relationship. "Sister Seaports programs are often ceremonial, although we believe that Port Everglades will benefit in terms of developing new ideas, business contacts, cultural understanding and international trade promotion," says Port Director Phillip C. Allen. "Sister Seaports add a sense of humanity and accessibility to large organizations that are often separated by language and thousands of miles." The Broward County Board of County Commissioners voted unanimously to approve the Port Everglades Department's recommendation to establish a formal International Sister Seaports program. The first ceremony is scheduled on Tuesday, March 13, with the Port of Olbia. "As Sister Seaport program will provide a strong foundation for Broward County's Port Everglades to connect with other international communities," says Broward County Mayor Josephus Eggelletion Jr. "These relationships promote cooperation and mutual assistance." To become a Sister Seaport with Port Everglades, a seaport must commit to the free exchange of information pertaining to cruise and cargo operations, statistical information and general market research. |