At first glance it may not be noticeable, but in the port of Miami several things happen at the same time. Large cruise ships that look like floating buildings run aground, thousands of goods circulate and it is the gateway to one of the most vibrant cities in the United States.
Due to its strategic location it is known as the gateway to the Americas. And, among other things, it is a transshipment site for marine freight from Asia en route to South America (iContainers, n.d.).
In addition, it is a point of confluence of thousands of tourists who arrive on board cruise ships. It is located on Biscayne Bay, making it an excellent entry point to get to know the area. Next, discover the importance of the Port of Miami.
The commercial side of the Port of Miami
The Port of Miami is one of the axes of the economy of South Florida, whose docks employ around 300 thousand people. In fact, during 2020, in full contingency due to Covid-19, the port had a growth in its commercial activity of 1.5% (Barletti, 2020).
It has 3 cargo terminals and it is estimated that 1 in 3 containers entering and leaving connect with Central America (Galli, 2019). It is also the closest container port to the Panama Canal and is one of the few U.S. ports with capacity for large vessels.
In addition to the above, it is the most efficient on the east coast. In less than 24 hours a container can be released. Finally, it is possible to mobilize loads through an efficient rail service (Zanela, 2019).
The Tourist Vocation
The port of Miami has an irrevocable tourist halo due to the large number of cruise ships it receives. Its infrastructure is impressive because it can operate 9 cruise ships at the same time. These are about 60 thousand passengers on the move (Galli, 2019).
One of the most emblematic works is a tunnel of approximately 24 blocks double-handed that connects the port with the interstate. This allows tourism and commercial activity to coexist, making it attractive for more than 20 cruise companies operating in the port (iContainers, n.d.).
To give an example of its importance, Royal Caribbean installed its cruise terminal called The Crown of Miami there. In addition, it celebrated the arrival of the world’s largest ship, Symphony of the Seas (Barletti, 2020).
What to do near the Port of Miami?
Being on the pier of the Port of Miami, the view meets the famous Fisher Island. This is an exclusive celebrity housing complex (Galli, 2019). In the same panoramic you can see the skyline of Downtown Miami and Brickell City Centre.
These are some of the reasons why the port is considered a great gateway to the city. In addition, you can do many activities nearby. Here are some of them:
- Miami Children’s Museum: 13 minutes. It is an interactive museum for children. On the third Friday of each month admission is free.
- Jungle Island: 16 minutes. It is a zoo that simulates a rainforest.
- Bayfront Park: 17 minutes. It is a beautiful public urban park in which activities such as Christmas celebrations and concerts take place.
- Bayside Marketplace: 18 minutes from the Port of Miami. It is an open-air shopping center where there are many shops to buy souvenirs, among other things.
- Pérez Art Museum: 22 minutes. It is an art museum within a park and by the sea.
- Church of the Gesù: 28 minutes. It is a beautiful church that is part of the National Register of Historic Places.
- Cycle Party: 3 kilometres. It is a community bike tour. It lasts 2 hours and takes place in the Wynwood neighborhood. It is considered one of the most fun experiences in Miami.
Visiting the port of Miami is a unique experience because you can witness its three faces: tourist, commercial and access to interesting activities that will help you get to know one of the most emblematic and fun cities in the United States.
References
Barletti, A. (December 1, 2020). New cargo record at the Port of Miami. Chronicler.
Galli, E. (November 19, 2019). Miami: the world’s leading cruise port, which does not neglect cargo and has an emblematic integration with the city. Trade News.
iContainers. (n.d.). Port of Miami: ready for megaships.
TripAdvisor. (n.d.). Things to do near Port of Miami.
Zanela, L. (November 19, 2019). Port of Miami, evolution between containers and cruise ships. T21.
