JACKSONVILLE, Fla., Dec. 13, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Anticipating its new 42.5-acre near-port intermodal container transfer facility to become a major international and domestic freight hub for South Florida, the Florida East Coast Railway (FEC) signed a joint marketing agreement with Port Everglades to promote the facility, which is expected to break ground in early 2013 and completed in Spring 2014.

"The ICTF with new technology will allow FEC to efficiently and effectively deliver superior transportation service between South Florida and the Eastern United States," said FEC Chief Executive Officer Jim Hertwig.  "This agreement enables FEC and Port Everglades to be in a competitive position for additional freight and jobs beyond the completion of the Panama Canal."

The agreement calls for joint promotions including international business development, the creation of promotional materials, shared sponsorships and milestone events.

The ICTF, to be adjacent to the Southport container terminals at Port Everglades, will facilitate containerized cargo transfer through the Port to/from the FEC main line.  The facility will be unique compared to similar facilities at other ports in that both domestic and international cargo will be handled at the site, which will result in advantageous transfer and shipping fees for Port Everglades customers.  By relocating the intermodal cargo from the current rail facility on Andrews Avenue, two miles from the Port, traffic congestion on State Road 84 will be reduced significantly.

"An ICTF adjacent to the Port Everglades pier operations will not only ensure our seaport remains competitive with other U.S. East Coast gateways, but will give our port a cost and time-to-market advantage over many of these gateways, thereby putting more and more South Florida residents to work as a result of the additional business opportunities it will generate," said Port Everglades Chief Executive & Port Director Steven Cernak. "This unique public–private partnership is consistent with Governor Scott's efforts to expand support to Florida's ports, leveraging private sector capital to complete the project."

FEC signed a lease agreement with Broward County in March 2012 to build and operate the ICTF for 30 years.  Broward County contributed the land for the facility to serve its domestic and international business segments.  The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) recently provided FEC, with $18 million in grants through its Strategic Intermodal System program.  The remaining costs, $35 million, will be covered by the FEC with $30 million from an FDOT State Infrastructure Bank loan and $5 million from FEC capital plan.

This project is expected to create 767 construction jobs over the next two years, and support thousands of cargo jobs statewide into the future.  It is estimated that 180,000 truck trips will be removed from roads by the year 2027, reducing both highway congestion and air emissions.

About The Florida East Coast Railway (FEC)
FEC is a 351 mile freight rail system located along the east coast of Florida and is the exclusive rail provider for PortMiami, Port Everglades, and Port of Palm Beach.  FEC connects to the national railway system in Jacksonville, Florida, to move cargo originating or terminating there.  Based in Jacksonville, Florida, FEC provides end-to-end intermodal solutions to customers who demand more cost-effective options and premium service.  More information on Florida East Coast Railway is available on the Internet at www.fecrwy.com or e-mailing contact@fecrwy.com.

About Port Everglades
As one of South Florida's leading economic powerhouses, Port Everglades is the gateway for international trade and cruise vacations.  Already the second busiest cruise port worldwide, Port Everglades is also one of the nation's leading container ports.  Port Everglades is also South Florida's main seaport for receiving petroleum products including gasoline, jet fuel and alternative fuels.  The Port Everglades Department is a self-supporting Enterprise Fund of Broward County government with operating revenues of approximately $143 million in Fiscal Year 2012 (October 1, 2011 through September 30, 2012).  It does not rely on local tax dollars for operations.   The total value of economic activity at Port Everglades is approximately $15.3 billion.  More than 160,000 Florida jobs are impacted by the Port, including almost 11,400 people who work for companies that provide direct services to Port Everglades.  More information on Port Everglades, which is governed by the Broward County Board of County Commissioners, is available on the Internet at www.porteverglades.net or e-mailing PortEverglades@broward.org.

SOURCE Florida East Coast Railway