As a Direct Result of Governor Desantis’ November 2024 Trade Mission to Italy, State of Florida Signs Memorandum of Understanding with Italian Ports and Logistics Organizations

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. - Florida Department of Commerce Secretary J. Alex Kelly and Florida Department of Transportation Secretary Jared W. Perdue signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Florida Ports Council, Assoporti, the Association of Italian Ports, and Assologistica, the Italian Association of Logistics and Supply Chain Management. This MOU is a product of Governor DeSantis' November 2024 trade mission to Italy and will further the success of the Florida-Italy partnership and increase collaboration in trade, logistics and economic and workforce development.

"Under Governor DeSantis' leadership, we recognize that Florida's ports are a critical part of Florida's continued economic success and our state's supply chain, trade, and tourism - the signing of this MOU supports these functions and will continue to drive Florida's economy forward," said Secretary of Commerce J. Alex Kelly. "This MOU is a direct result of the Governor's November trade mission to Italy and reinforces Florida and Italy's shared commitment to driving innovation, enhancing seaport operations, and establishing new avenues for economic growth."

"From trade and connectivity prospects to smart port development and technology exchange, with this MOU agreement, the opportunities between our regions are endless and will no doubt generate truly remarkable successes," said Florida Department of Transportation Secretary Jared W. Perdue, P.E. "Thanks to the leadership of Governor DeSantis and the dedicated commitment from FloridaCommerce, SelectFlorida, our Florida seaports, and our friends overseas in Italy, together we have forged a partnership that will bring growth and prosperity to both our regions."

"We are very pleased with this path, which is based on shared intentions of collaboration and growth. We are confident that dialogue among operators is essential, especially at this historical moment," stated Assologistica President Umberto Ruggerone. "During our mission in Florida in April, there will be an opportunity to delve into the specifics of the individual themes and projects managed by the working groups outlined in the agreement."

After the signing, Rodolfo Giampieri, President of Assoporti said , "I consider the initiation of collaboration with Florida's ports an excellent outcome for Italian ports, which have always strived to establish information exchanges and expedite processes in search of new markets, reinforcing the role of port operations in the new global competition. We have all worked together to find common points of interest for both ports and logistics, and today we are launching this activity. At the Seatrade Cruise Global Fair in Miami, we will have the opportunity to kick off the activities of the already scheduled working group, starting with the exchange of best practices. Naturally, the agreement can be implemented with other sector memberships."

"Florida's 16 deep-water seaports are a critical supply chain link, providing food, fuel, medical supplies and so much more, to Florida's more than 23 million residents, and they are a vital export supplier of essential Florida goods to Italy, and across the globe. We look forward to signing this MOU, and to further collaborating with our Italian partners on trade, logistics, workforce development and efficient seaport operations," said Carlos Buqueras, Chair of Florida Ports Council and Executive Director of SeaPort Manatee.

"This MOU is the culmination of discussions and port tours begun in Florida's trade mission to Italy in November 2024. Florida's seaports agree that a discussion on mutual items of trade, workforce, logistics, and the cargo and cruise industry would be beneficial to economic relationship between Italy and Florida. This agreement signifies an enhancement of that relationship and a promise to continue our collaborative efforts. We thank Governor DeSantis for his leadership and the work done by SelectFlorida to ensure a successful trade mission," said Mike Rubin, CEO/President, Florida Ports Council.

In November, 2024, Governor Ron DeSantis led an international trade and business development mission to Italy to strengthen business, education, and research ties growing Florida's economy and driving innovation. During the mission, Florida Department of Transportation Secretary Jared Perdue and other mission delegates hosted port-to-port discussions between Florida and Italy-two unique peninsulas that share a riveting maritime heritage and serve as gateways for global commerce. During the mission JAXPORT, Port Canaveral, Port Everglades, PortMiami and SeaPort Manatee met with key partners, including Assoporti, the Italian Ports Association; Assologistica, the Association of Italian Logistics and Supply Chain Management; six Italian port authorities, including the ports of Civitavecchia, Genoa, Livorno, Venice, Messina, and Viareggio; and other Italian partners. As a result of these discussions, the Florida Ports Council pledged to sign a MOU for sharing best practices and further developing trade linkages with Assoporti and Assologistica, with the intention of formalizing this historic agreement in April 2025 at Seatrade Cruise when the Italian ports visit Miami.

This MOU signing is a continuation of this established partnership with a focus on the seaport and logistics sector in Florida and Italy. It identifies priority areas for collaboration, which include:

• Supply chain optimizations and infrastructure investment methodology and policy
• Port management and operation
• Maritime workforce development
• Port-city relations
• Optimization of customs procedures and joint training programs
• Manufacturing opportunities and efficiencies

To achieve the goals outlined in the MOU, the state of Florida and the Florida Ports Council will partner with Italy to share best practices, trends, challenges, techniques, and collaborate on opportunities that will solve problems and improve trade and economic development to the benefit of the people of Florida.

In 2024, total merchandise trade between Florida and Italy amounted to $4.3 billion, making Italy Florida's second largest bilateral merchandise trading partner in the EU and 15th largest trading partner overall. Italy is one of Florida's most important international markets. In 2024, Florida exported nearly $780 million worth of goods to Italy. Florida's top exported goods were yachts, organic compounds, and aviation parts. Florida imported $3.6 billion worth of goods from Italy, including yachts, cars, and wine.

Italy is also a top ten foreign direct investor in Florida, as of the most recent data published by the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis for 2022. Italian majority-owned affiliates employ about 11,000 people in Florida. Florida has 16 sister city and region relationships with Italy.

To read the full MOU, click here.