PortMiami is surrounded by a natural environment that includes sea grass and marine life, along with a vibrant downtown with both commercial and residential neighborhoods. Our mission is to operate the State's top container port and world's leading cruise port in a way that supports sustainability.
PortMiami is committed to adopting policies that support sustainability and ensure earth-friendly operations. The Port's goal to provide sustainable services by carefully balancing environmental, social, and economic factors has led to its Green Ports program.
PortMiami is designated as a "clean port," and only handles containerized break bulk. Cargo shipments are limited to containerized and roll on/off cargo, representing little threat to Biscayne Bay and surrounding ecosystems.
PortMiami is committed to providing sustainable services by carefully balancing environmental, capital, and economic factors into our business planning. Our goal is to ensure a favorable workplace today, and a healthier environment tomorrow. We are achieving a sustainable balance with our customers, operations, and development while protecting our surrounding natural resources. Planning includes:
PortMiami collaborates with the University of Miami on Coral Reef Research and Restoration
PortMiami is proud to collaborate with UMiamiRSMAS on coral reef research and restoration programs. Some of the 150 corals recently collected at the Port by University of Miami researchers will be transplanted onto a reef in the Key Biscayne area.
The objective of the program is to enhance the reproductive success of the species that have declined in the last few years and to establish the first coral spawning hub in Miami-Dade County.
PortMiami enhances Biscayne Bay at a glance
Off-shore Mitigation Projects
In 2012, the Port completed three major re-roofing projects, installing white, reflective roofing material geared toward reducing energy usage at the Port by 20 percent, in line with the Green and Sustainability Initiative. Energy-efficient practices maintained throughout PortMiami include:
A series of emission reduction initiatives has been accomplished at the Port, ranging from the completion of the Cargo Gantry Crane Electrification project, to the installation of new electronic security gates - which reduce truck idling times - to using B-5 biodiesel fuel with a sulfur content of 15 parts per million -- well ahead of EPA's mandate. Through federal grants and in conjunction with our Port Partners, this program continues to reduce air and diesel emissions associated with cargo equipment and day-to-day operations.
In 2012, PortMiami relocated over 175 corals to the designated Coral Habitat Area located on the northeast corner of the Port. This is the third successful coral relocation project conducted by the Port. The monitoring of more than 40 acres of mangrove restoration at Oleta River State Park -- an ideal habitat for birds and aquatic species -- continues with a 100 percent success rate. PortMiami closely coordinates construction work at the Port to ensure trees are relocated (including over 150 trees from the Tunnel Project) to beautify the environment for our visitors and residents, and provide cooling shade, stormwater retention, and carbon sequestration.
New structures are certified to at least the "Silver Level" under the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Green Building Rating System developed by the U.S. Green Building Council, and all building interior and exterior rehabilitation work includes "LEED" elements per the Port's newly established design guidelines.
