Florida International Terminal (FIT): The High-Tech Heart of Port Everglades

As a vital artery of Florida commerce since 2004, the Florida International Terminal (FIT) anchors the East Coast maritime grid. Spanning 46 acres in the Southport area of Port Everglades, this high-stakes hub requires more than driving, it demands mastery of the eModal and Stowlog digital landscapes.

Operating under FIRMS Code N751, FIT offers elite efficiency with zero margin for error. Within the dense Hollywood/Fort Lauderdale grid, a single missed window or incorrect empty return guarantees an immediate "Trouble Ticket" and a forced exit from the secure zone.

FIT Administrative and Operational Parameters

To survive FIRMS Code N751, you must distinguish between the two primary gates. The FIT New Empty Depot is located at 3800 McIntosh Road, while the FIT Main Terminal entrance is further south at the 4100 McIntosh Road block.

Unlike "open gate" facilities, FIT follows strict appointment logic. The most critical data point for dispatchers is the 16:15 specialized cutoff. While dry containers have until 16:30, hazardous materials (HAZ) and reefer units require extra inspection. If you aren't in the queue by 16:15, your mission is scrubbed for the day.

> View the Full Florida International Terminal (FIT) Map

The Approach & The Gate: The Stowlog and Checkpoint 4 Gauntlet

Reaching either gate requires clearing Port Everglades Checkpoint 4 on McIntosh Road before reaching the terminal’s specific scanners.

• The Stowlog Mandate: Every driver must complete a mandatory safety induction via the Stowlog app before arriving. If you hit the gate without your digital certification, you will be turned away immediately.
• The U-Turn Bottleneck: The U-turn at Checkpoint 2 on Spangler Blvd is permanently closed. If you make a wrong lane choice on the final approach, there is no "doubling back." You'll have to restart the entire entry process.
• The "Live Cam" Strategy: Dispatchers should monitor the FIT Live Gate Camera in real-time. If the queue is backing up at Checkpoint 4, hold drivers at an off-site staging area to avoid idling fines.

Inside the Wire: Gantry Cranes and the Empty Depot

Once "inside the wire," the yard operates with mechanized precision. FIT is primarily a live-lift facility; drivers must stay in their cabs while gantry cranes service the chassis.

• Carrier Redirection (3800 Gate): To reduce congestion, FIT has moved empty returns for major carriers like Maersk, MSC, and CMA CGM to the New Empty Depot at the 3800 block. Returning these to the main 4100 yard is a frequent source of "Trouble Tickets."
• SACP 3.0 Chassis Pool: FIT utilizes the South Atlantic Chassis Pool (SACP 3.0). Look for the "Premium Red" chassis equipped with LED lighting and radial tires.
• 48-Foot Deepening (PENIP): Be aware of the $1.35 billion Port Everglades Navigation Improvements Project. Ongoing construction can cause sudden lane shifts and increased traffic density on McIntosh Road.

FIT Driver Survival Guide: Tropical Heat and Off-Site Staging

Port Everglades is "land-constrained," meaning the terminal is for cargo movement, not driver rest.

• Zero On-Port Parking: There is no overnight parking at either FIT gate. For a 10-hour reset, drivers utilize the Outpost facility on Wiles Road (Coral Springs), which offers 370 secure spaces.
• The "Silent Yard" Policy: CB radios are strictly prohibited while in motion inside the terminal. All communication is handled via physical signage and mobile terminals.
• Hydration and Supplies: Because FIT enforces a "remain in vehicle" policy, drivers have zero access to lounges. With the intense Florida sun, arriving with a full cooler of water is a survival necessity.

Beat the Southport Deadlines: Dispatch Your FIT Runs

Mastering the Florida International Terminal (N751) requires a partner who understands the layout of the East Coast maritime grid. If your dispatcher misses the 16:15 reefer cutoff or fails to manage the Stowlog induction, your profit will be eaten by detention fees and "Trouble Ticket" delays.

Our intermodal dispatchers dominate the Port Everglades Southport corridor every single day. We bypass the chaos by monitoring Tideworks container availability in real-time, managing your Stowlog safety compliance, and routing your fleet to the correct Empty Depot gate. You focus on the highway; we’ll annihilate the FIT logistics headaches.