If you are hauling international or domestic containers in South Florida, the FEC Port Everglades Intermodal Container Transfer Facility (ICTF) is your high-speed bridge between the sea and the rail. Located at 1500 Eller Drive, this 43-acre "near-dock" facility is a $73 million powerhouse designed to move freight faster than any traditional ramp in the region.

But 1500 Eller Drive is a high-security fortress. Operating directly under the Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport flight path and governed by strict MTSA federal maritime laws, one safety slip or a missing TWIC card won't just get you a ticket; it will get you a permanent ban. You need a tactical plan to navigate this precision-engineered yard.

FEC Port Everglades Administrative and Operational Parameters

Success at the Port Everglades ICTF (M601) starts with understanding its "near-dock" advantage. This facility is engineered for a "fully wheeled" operation, meaning containers are mounted directly onto chassis to minimize dwell time. 

You must lock in the M601 FIRMS code for all bonded cargo documentation to clear the Automated Gate System (AGS).

Before you hit the gate, ensure your carrier is registered in the UIIA Intermodal Driver Database and that you are eRailsafe compliant. The terminal utilizes 11 AGS lanes equipped with Equipment Imaging Portals (EIP) that scan your container, chassis, and seal in seconds. If your data doesn't match your "buck slip," you'll be diverted to a manual clerk, killing your turn time.

FEC Port Everglades Approach & The Gate: The Port Everglades Checkpoint

Closing the last mile into the ICTF requires passing through the primary Port Everglades security layer.

• Checkpoint 1 (Eller Drive & I-595): This is your main point of entry. You must have your TWIC and CDL in hand. Under Florida Statute 311.12, it is a first-degree misdemeanor to possess a firearm on port property, even with a permit. No exceptions.
• The "Buck Slip" Logic: The AGS will spit out a buck slip with your exact parking coordinates. If your assigned spot is taken, park in the nearest hole, update the slip manually, and notify the in-gate clerk immediately to update the system.
• The Speed Trap: Speed is strictly monitored. It is 5 MPH at the gates and 15 MPH within the yard. FEC Police are authorized to issue immediate suspensions for speeding.

Inside the FEC Port Everglades: RTG Cranes and Roller-Compacted Concrete

Once you clear the gate, you are in a high-tech environment built on 43 acres of Roller-Compacted Concrete (RCC).

• The RTG Priority: The yard uses three massive Rubber-Tired Gantry (RTG) cranes equipped with GPS auto-steering. These machines have the absolute right-of-way. Never "foul" a track or crane lane.
• Chassis Management Zones: FEC maintains a "neutral chassis" pool. If your ocean carrier fails to provide a chassis 6 hours before train arrival, FEC will mount your box on a neutral frame. Be aware: this triggers a daily usage fee.
• Safety Gear: You must wear an OSHA-approved safety vest, closed-toe shoes, and safety glasses if you exit your cab. Flashers and headlights must stay on at all times.

FEC Port Everglades Driver Survival Guide: Fort Lauderdale Intel

The ICTF is a high-speed transit point, not a rest stop. Amenities are minimal.

• No Staging or Sleeping: There is zero staging or overnight parking inside the gates. For a safe HOS reset, you must exit the port and find local industrial parking in the Fort Lauderdale/Dania Beach area.
• Airport Flight Path: Because the yard is directly under the airport's runway, stay alert for low-flying aircraft and follow all high-mast lighting safety protocols.
• The Disciplinary Ladder: FEC uses a "Three Strikes" rule for safety violations (Warning > 1 Week > 1 Month > Permanent Ban). However, breaking a seal or failing to report an accident is an automatic "Banned for Life."

Beat the Fort Lauderdale Bottleneck: Dispatch Your FEC Runs

Hauling out of M601 at Port Everglades is about digital readiness. If your dispatcher fails to check the eModal container status or misses a chassis availability window, you’re just burning fuel at the checkpoint.

Our dispatchers are experts in the Port Everglades Tariff No. 12 and the eModal ecosystem. We pre-verify your M601 documentation, coordinate with Danny McDermott’s local team, and route you away from the I-595 rush. You focus on the load; we’ll handle the ICTF headaches.