Italy took center stage at the Seatrade Cruise Global trade show in Miami, one of the most important international events for the cruise and maritime industries. On April 12, an official delegation representing Assoporti, Assologistica, and Assiterminal opened the national pavilion, marking a coordinated effort to promote the country’s port system and maritime economy in the U.S. market.
The mission also included institutional meetings with Florida authorities as part of the implementation of a memorandum of understanding signed on March 21, 2025. The working group session – the third of its kind – was led by Florida Transportation Secretary Jared Perdue and aimed to strengthen long-term cooperation between the two regions.
Supporting the Italian delegation throughout the program was Consul General Michele Mistò, who emphasized the growing strategic alignment between Italy and Florida in maritime affairs.
Maritime activity plays a central role in Italy’s economy. More than 36% of the country’s total trade value and over 55% of trade volumes move by sea, while Italian ports handle more than 480 million tons of cargo each year. The United States stands as Italy’s top trading partner outside the European Union, and shipping is the backbone of that relationship. Over 70% of goods exchanged between the two countries travel by sea, totaling more than 20 million tons annually.
Florida is a key hub in this transatlantic system. The ports of Miami, Fort Lauderdale, and Jacksonville together process more than 4 million TEU per year, with traffic from Europe and the Mediterranean steadily increasing. Italy ranks among the leading European sources of containerized cargo heading to Florida, particularly in sectors such as machinery, automotive components, ceramics, fashion, and food products.
Recent figures confirm this upward trend. In the first quarter of fiscal year 2025, PortMiami handled 9,623 TEU in trade with Italy, corresponding to a value of $481.8 million and a total weight of 99,515 tons. Italy remains the port’s top European trading partner, highlighting the depth of the economic connection.
Food and wine exports alone to Florida and Georgia now exceed $4 billion annually – a level comparable to Italy’s exports to Austria. This demand fuels a broader commercial ecosystem that spans logistics, distribution, hospitality, and specialized retail, directly linking Italian ports to consumers across the southeastern United States.
Looking ahead, growth potential remains significant. Florida’s population currently exceeds 22 million residents and is projected to surpass 25 million within the next decade. Combined with major investments in port infrastructure and logistics corridors, this expansion is reshaping trade flows across the region. Neighboring states such as Georgia and South Carolina – both home to rapidly growing Italian American manufacturing networks – further amplify these opportunities.
The strengthening partnership between Italy and Florida is the result of sustained institutional engagement over the past two years. High-level visits, including the first official mission to Italy by Governor Ron DeSantis, along with reciprocal delegations to Milan and Genoa, have laid the groundwork for deeper collaboration. These initiatives led to the opening of SelectFlorida’s office in Milan and reinforced ties with Italy’s transport authorities.
Together, these efforts are building a stable transatlantic bridge for investment, trade, and strategic dialogue. Italy’s presence at Seatrade Cruise Global reflects not only its leadership in the cruise sector but also its broader ambition to expand maritime cooperation with the United States, unlocking new opportunities for ports, industries, and local communities on both sides of the Atlantic.
