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ISSA and Ship Supply News

Shippers protest against Beckham’s

soccer stadium port plan

would pose risks to several suitable sites that would

jobs, cruise and benefit tremendously from a stadium.
cargo operations However, PortMiami is not one

and the port’s of them.

“PortMiami is Miami-Dade future, and other
County’s second largest economic sites should be

engine after tourism contributing $27 considered instead.
PortMiami is billion annually to the local economy

one of four sites and supporting more than 207,000
under jobs in South Florida. Even the hint

consideration for of a disruptive, non-port operation –
the 36-acre such as a stadium – could put

development thousands of jobs at risk. We cannot
which could cost jeopardise well-paying jobs like crane

around $200 operators, longshore workers and

million and mechanics for low-paying stadium
would include jobs such as concession sales.

He said too much costly shops, hotels and
preparation in readiness for the offices.

The Miami arrival of superships with the
ASeaport Alliance Panama Canal extension, had

comprises already taken place to be jeopardised
concerned
by a soccer stadium: “This thoughtful

n alliance of shipping planning anticipated the doubling of citizens and PortMiami stakeholders
businesses is protesting against cargo in ten years and the expansion including stevedores, longshore

world famous footballer David
of cruise lines.”
workers, cruise lines and cargo
Beckham’s plans for a 25,000-seater carriers.
However, the Beckham group

soccer stadium to be built at PortMiami says the port is one of a number of In an open letter to the

in Florida.
sites being considered for the community, John Fox, President of
development and even if it does go The Miami Seaport Alliance says that the Miami Seaport Alliance, said:

ahead there, will not affect port while it does support the idea of a stadium “We support a soccer franchise in
operations. in Miami, it believes siting it at the port
Miami wholeheartedly and there are

I

2014 Issue 61 The SHIP Supplier 45