Programs & Services

• The Manager of the Seaport Office supports the Secretary or his designee as a statutory representative on the FSTED Council

• Develop, in coordination with partners, the Statewide Seaport System Plan, which incorporates the seaport research done by both FDOT and FSTED into one plan which addresses the transportation issues of the seaport system

• Conduct studies to implement the Seaport System Plan, as well as other associated seaport research

• Coordinate in the formulation of the Freight Mobility and Trade Plan

• Assist in policy formulation affecting seaports at the state and federal level

• Assist district staff as needed to implement the Intermodal Access program

• Coordinate with studies conducted by Metropolitan Planning Organizations and/or district offices

• Coordinate with seaports in their Master Planning work

• Review the annual Seaport Mission Plan developed by the FSTED Council

• Provide information and technical support to DOT management, the Legislature, federal agencies, state agencies, districts staff, local governments, businesses and citizens as required

• As a financing and advisory partner with the FSTED Council, coordinate the review and financing of the FSTED grant program

• Assist in coordinating and financing oversight to seaport bond programs; develop policies, procedures, and management system components relative to seaport program functions

• Identify, with partners, strategic seaport projects and provide recommendations for funding

• Monitor and report on project status and Seaport Grant Agreement status statewide

• Implement the Intermodal Logistic Center Infrastructure Support Program

• The Seaport Office is a partner with FDOT Planning in the implementation of the SIS, working with central office staff, district staff, and the eleven SIS seaports in the development of the SIS Multi-modal Needs and Cost-Feasible Plans

• The Seaport Office is responsible for collecting, updating and transmitting seaport-related data to support SIS plans and programming needs

Link to 311.07, F.S. | Link to 311.09, F.S. | Link to Rule 14B-1 | Link to 320.20(3), F.S. | Link to 320.20(4), F.S.
While Florida’s ports are independently governed and operated, in 1990, the Legislature created Chapter 311, F.S. This law authorized the Florida Seaport Transportation and Economic Development (FSTED) Program, which established a collaborative relationship between FDOT and the seaports and codified an annual seaport grant program (Sections 311.07 and 311.09, F.S.).

The FSTED Program is managed by the Florida Seaport Transportation and Economic Development Council, which consists of the fifteen deep water port directors, the Executive Director of DEO, and the Secretary of FDOT. The FSTED Council annually solicits and approves project applications submitted by each of the individual seaports. The list of FSTED recommended projects is reviewed by DEO, FDOT, and FSTED staff to ensure that each project is consistent with state statutes, as well as master, comprehensive, economic development and transportation plans and programs.

This program provides $25 million dollars' annually in grants, in addition to the $35 million allocated by FDOT annually to support bonded state revenues, for a total of $60 million dollars' in combined annual state support for the Seaports. State funding is matched by the local port, usually on a 50/50 basis.

The FSTED Council is also responsible for preparing a five-year Florida Seaport Mission Plan and for the Small County Dredging Program.