Florida ports have reported record volume in 2021 even as supply chain shortages flourish under the Biden administration. The news comes as Governor Ron DeSantis has vowed to do everything he can to save Christmas during the crisis.
The Jacksonville Port Authority (JAXPORT) reported handling an all-time record volume in 2021, processing more than 1.4 million twenty-foot equivalent units during the year. The number marks a 10% increase from 2020.
Port Manatee announced similar success.
“Despite dealing with supply chain issues that are plaguing the country, Port Manatee has broken a record for imports with increased production,” Bay News 9 reports.
JaxPort could handle 50% increase in volume if ships off California coast decide to head east, official says https://t.co/9hIM8kWEl8 pic.twitter.com/azAZpFZNc3
— The ILA App (@TheILAmobileApp) October 26, 2021
DeSantis Saves Christmas?
The success of the ports handling record volume comes as Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has taken a very different approach to save Christmas than the Biden administration or the media.
Supply chain issues have become so prevalent of late that White House officials warned in regards to Christmas shopping this year, “There will be things that people can’t get.”
The Washington Post subsequently ran cover and demanded Americans, rather than complain about the supply crisis, simply lower their expectations for the future.
Opinion: Don’t rant about short-staffed stores and supply chain woes. Try to lower expectations. https://t.co/3CLpV5HXbG
— The Washington Post (@washingtonpost) October 19, 2021
“We’d do ourselves a favor by consciously lowering expectations,” a recent WaPo op-ed advised, eventually telling the public not to worry because “eventually the supply chain will get straightened out.”
DeSantis though has no designs on simply letting the Biden administration eventually figure things out.
Today’s news conference focused on promoting Florida ports to transport cargo and alleviate the supply issues we’ve been seeing nationwide. JaxPort CEO Eric Green said Jaxport reached a record amt of containers transported this year, at 1.4 million. And there’s room for more. pic.twitter.com/i354R11XC7
— Jessica Barreto (@BarretoReports) October 19, 2021
RELATED: FL Gov. DeSantis’ Answer To Biden Supply Chain Woes: ‘Florida Ports Are Open For Business’
DeSantis: Florida Is Open For Business
DeSantis last week tried enticing cargo ships to bring their wares to Florida.
“When you start talking about supply chain, inflation, that’s not something that’s going to impact a small segment. That hits very wide and very hard,” he said.
“Florida is here, we’ve got capacity and we also have incentive packages to make it worth your while to be able to bring your business through our ports.”
One Twitter user shared a video showing cargo ships in ports of Florida in action.
Live footage of Governor DeSantis saving Christmas by rerouting cargo ships to Florida. pic.twitter.com/oEeWdw8eB3
— American Girl ? (@Yolo304741) October 27, 2021
There is no indication that the above video is of a ship previously stuck in California, having made its way to Florida under the direction of Governor DeSantis.
But it does show a moving cargo ship as opposed to this scene in Cali.
Ships packed with critical goods are stuck circling California ports. The backlog is far worse than it was at the height of the Covid-19 pandemic. https://t.co/Hqx1NhzWiS pic.twitter.com/WEGkX8SrzF
— CNN (@CNN) October 23, 2021
The White House announced their intent to alleviate the supply chain crisis through round-the-clock operations, something DeSantis has said is already standard practice in the Sunshine State.
“I’m especially proud of Florida’s seaports. They are crown jewels in our state,” he said.
“While other U.S. ports are just now announcing around-the-clock operations, in Florida many of our ports are used to serving Florida farmers, families and businesses with 24-hour operations.”
Will Governor DeSantis save Christmas – Florida port authority tells cargo vessels to divert to sunshine state
https://t.co/tTS8tQ2Sfh— Veronica Birkenstock (@vtbirkenstock) October 21, 2021
Operating 24/7 is in stark contrast to Biden Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg who, as the crisis was heating up and Americans became more anxious about the supply chain issues, was found to have been on paternity leave for roughly two months.
DeSantis blasted the White House for the crisis that is coming to a head leading into the holidays.
“As the rest of the nation faces rampant inflation and businesses stare down unprecedented supply chain problems, our message is this,” he announced.
“Florida is here … and we are going to make sure Americans get their Christmas gifts this season.”
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