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.  
As one of South Florida's leading economic engines, Port Everglades is the gateway for international trade and cruise vacations.  Port Everglades is one of the busiest cruise ports worldwide and the winter homeport for Cunard Line's Queen Mary 2.  It is among the fastest growing container ports in the United States, according to the PIERS import/export database.  And, Port Everglades is South Florida's main seaport for receiving petroleum products including, gasoline and jet fuel.  The Port Everglades Department is a self-supporting Enterprise Fund of Broward County government with operating revenues of approximately $105 million annually.  It does not rely on local tax dollars for operations. The Port provides more than 15,000 direct jobs and generates $2.87 billion in business activity and $879.5 million in personal income annually in Broward County.  
More information on Port Everglades and its International Sister Seaports program, is available on the Internet at www.broward.org/port, e-mailing PortEverglades@broward.org, or by calling 954-523-3404.