Four Ports, Four Operating Environments
Florida has four major commercial ports, each with different access requirements, gate procedures, and insurance considerations. Port drayage in Florida is year-round work — no winter slowdowns. Every port requires a TWIC (Transportation Worker Identification Credential) card. Apply early — processing takes 8-12 weeks.
JAXPORT (Jacksonville)
Florida largest container port by tonnage and the nation leading vehicle import hub.
| Requirement | Details |
|---|---|
| TWIC Card | Required for all drivers |
| JAXPORT Business Purpose Credential | Free, required in addition to TWIC |
| Port Hours | 24/7 port operations, terminal-specific gate hours |
| Insurance | 1,000,000 liability (practical minimum) |
Access Blount Island Terminal via I-295 to Heckscher Drive. Avoid GPS directions for passenger vehicles — they may route through residential areas with bridge restrictions.
:::tip JAXPORT offers a chassis pool for intermodal carriers. Confirm chassis availability before arriving — shortages during peak season (October-December) create staging delays. :::
PortMiami
Cruise capital of the world and growing containerized cargo hub. The Port Tunnel provides direct access to I-395 and I-95.
| Requirement | Details |
|---|---|
| TWIC Card | Required |
| Pre-paid Scale Program | Reduces wait times at terminal scales |
| Port Tunnel | Direct access from I-395/I-95 |
- South Florida Container Terminal: Live gate cameras available online
- POMTOC: Live gate cameras available
- Turn times: Average 45-90 minutes
I-95 left-lane truck bans are enforced in Palm Beach, Broward, and Miami-Dade counties. 121 dollar fine plus 3 CDL points.
Port Tampa Bay
Florida largest bulk cargo port. Phosphate, petroleum, steel, and containerized freight.
| Requirement | Details |
|---|---|
| TWIC Card | Required |
| 24/7 Operations Officer | On duty around the clock |
| Truck Scale | Mon-Fri 7am-5pm |
:::tip If you need a late gate at Port Tampa Bay, email tampacontainergate@portsamerica.com by 3:30pm. Requests after 4:30pm are not guaranteed. :::
Port Everglades (Fort Lauderdale)
Over 1 million TEUs annually. Major petroleum import point for South Florida. Direct access from I-595.
Insurance for Port Drayage
| Coverage | Why Port Drayage Needs It |
|---|---|
| Auto Liability (1M) | Dense port traffic, pedestrian areas, tight turns |
| Cargo Coverage | High-value containerized freight, theft exposure |
| Non-Trucking Liability | Waiting time between loads at port facilities |
| Physical Damage | Equipment damage from port infrastructure |
TWIC Card Process
| Step | Details | Timeline |
|---|---|---|
| Apply online | TSA TWIC Portal | Day 1 |
| Biometrics appointment | Nearest enrollment center | 1-2 weeks |
| Background check | Federal process | 4-8 weeks |
| Card issuance | Pick up at enrollment center | 1-2 weeks |
| Total | 8-12 weeks |
:::tip Apply for your TWIC card at least 3 months before you plan to start port work. Expedited processing is not available. There is no shortcut. :::
Choosing Your Florida Port
| Factor | JAXPORT | PortMiami | Tampa Bay | Port Everglades |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Container volume | High | High | Medium | High |
| Vehicle import | No. 1 in US | Low | Low | Low |
| Bulk cargo | Medium | Low | No. 1 in FL | Medium |
| Petroleum | Low | Low | Medium | High |
| Truck parking nearby | Moderate | Scarce | Moderate | Scarce |
| Interstate access | I-95, I-10 | I-95, I-395 | I-4, I-275 | I-595, I-95 |
For Florida trucking insurance designed for port drayage operations, call RMS at (208) 800-0640.
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