CARGO GATEWAY OF THE AMERICAS
 
Hundreds of freight forwarders and customs brokers, tens of consultants, bi-national chambers of commerce and foreign trade offices, an impressive contingent of multinational corporations, telecommunications companies and business-support industries, and the second most important financial center in the United States make Miami a bustling international metropolis.
 
At the heart of the economic benefits generated by all the international goings-on is the Port of Miami, playing a dual role as contributor and benefactor of the global activity that makes Miami a household word in so many countries around the world.  Latin America and the Caribbean continue to account for more than half the cargo tonnage moving through the Port of Miami-54 percent in 2005 ensuring its continued distinction as the cargo Gateway of the Americas.  The shift in Asian trade to East Coast ports via all-water routes through the Suez and Panama canals, however, resulted in the Far East being the fastest-growing region for the port in 2005 and beyond.