PORT OF FORT PIERCE
ST. LUCIE COUNTY LAUNCHES PORT
OF FORT PIERCE MASTER PLAN UPDATE
This bird’s-eye view of the new Port of Fort Pierce shows the layout of Derecktor Shipyard. The port is near the west end of South Bridge in downtown Fort Pierce.
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TCBusiness.com
The central question facing St. Lucie
County as it updates the Port of Fort Pierce
master plan is how the port will handle
future economic and social opportunities.
The port, which is one of Florida’s 14
deepwater seaports, was initially created
as a maritime freight and logistics center to
ship agricultural products and cargo from
the Treasure Coast. It now functions as a
hybrid of working waterfront elements and
community infrastructure. It is unlike most
traditional cargo- and cruise-dominant
seaports in Florida.
Every five years, Florida seaports are
required to update their long-range master
plans to identify, guide and coordinate
port development and ensure alignment
with local comprehensive planning. This
update, along with ongoing investments
in the new Derecktor Shipyard, marks an
important milestone for the port and its
working waterfront. It is poised for a renaissance
that holds the potential to grow new
economic and other beneficial impacts
for St. Lucie County and the surrounding >>
BY ERICK GILL
The sun rises over the Indian River Lagoon and the Port of Fort Pierce.
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