FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. — Port Everglades has officially begun work on its $152 million bulkhead replacement project, a major infrastructure upgrade that will strengthen the South Florida port against climate change, hurricanes, and future shipping demands.
The project, designed by U.K.-based Mott MacDonald, covers nearly 2,840 linear feet of bulkheads at Berths 1, 2 and 3. The new seawalls replace aging structures originally built in the 1950s, which are now well past their useful lifespan. According to the project website, the new bulkheads are expected to last 75 years or more.
One of the project’s key features is its “future-proofing” design. Engineers have built in the capacity to raise the berths by as much as five feet to account for sea level rise. The walls have also been engineered to withstand extreme hurricane conditions, including hydrostatic drawdowns or reverse storm surges — sudden drops in seaside water pressure that can cause seawall slumping or collapse. Mott MacDonald also accounted for possible wave overtopping in its models.
“The project ensures long-term infrastructure vitality for one of the country’s most critical seaports,” said Kris Pagán, Mott MacDonald’s principal project manager, marine structures, in the release.
Beyond resilience, the new bulkheads will enable Port Everglades to handle larger cruise and cargo vessels with deeper drafts. Among them is Princess Cruises’ Star Princess, a 4,300-passenger, 178,000-ton Sphere Class ship, set to call at the port, according to Travel Pulse.
Importantly, the design allows construction to move forward while the terminal remains fully operational — a critical factor for a port that serves as a hub for both cargo and tourism.
The work is being managed by Moss Construction of Fort Lauderdale, with Houston-based Orion Group Holdings overseeing the $80 million construction component. Orion was awarded the specialty marine contract in 2024. On a broader scale, a Moss/Kiewit joint venture continues to serve as general contractor for Port Everglades’ larger $437 million expansion project, which began in 2017.
Funding for the bulkhead replacement will come from port-generated revenue, including fees from cruise lines, cargo carriers, energy companies, and real estate tenants.
The Port Everglades upgrades also align with national priorities. In 2024, the U.S. Department of Transportation allocated $830 million to strengthen the resilience of transportation infrastructure, with ports being a central focus. Rising seas, stronger hurricanes, and shifting global trade patterns are driving ports nationwide to invest in resilient, climate-adaptive designs.
Phase 1 of the Port Everglades bulkhead replacement is expected to be completed by December 2026. Once finished, the improvements will not only safeguard vital infrastructure but also secure the port’s role as one of the nation’s busiest gateways for cruise passengers, energy shipments, and international trade.
Originally reported by Joe Bousquin in Construction Dive.
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