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About Miami, FL
Used shipping containers in Miami play an important role in both the local economy and the national logistics network, thanks to the city’s position as a major U.S. port gateway to Latin America and the Caribbean. Miami depots handle large volumes of decommissioned containers that are repurposed for storage, construction, retail pop-ups, and modular offices, serving everyone from exporters and importers to small businesses and contractors. Because PortMiami is one of the nation’s busiest container ports and an international trade hub, the flow of equipment through nearby depots helps ensure that surplus boxes are available for resale and reuse.
The Miami market for used shipping containers is influenced by several factors. Demand comes from smaller international shipping operators and a strong secondary market. Secondary uses include storage, modular buildings, and domestic transport. Miami's location near Latin America and the Caribbean, and its proximity to the Panama Canal, boost demand.
Prices of used containers are affected by new container production, geopolitical factors, seasonality of agriculture (nursery, greens, cattle, sugarcane, sweet corn and carrots). Availability and transport costs also play a role, with prices changing based on inventory, demand, and closeness to shipping hubs. The market is shaped by shipping demand, industrial activity, and demand.
Local Economic Drivers in Miami, FL
Population
Miami-Dade County had an estimated population of 2,838,461 as of July 1, 2024. Miami-Dade County is also the seventh most populous county in the United States.
Major Employers in Miami-Dade County
American Airlines, Miami-Dade County Public Schools, University of Miami, Office Depot, Baptist Health South Florida, Jackson Health System, and the Port of Miami.
Major Imports & Exports
- Top Imports: Rolled tobacco, Knit t-shirts, Insulated Wire, Knit sweaters, and Low-voltage protection equipment. Key Trade Partners: China, Italy, Honduras and Vietnam
- Top Exports: Cars, Pure Cotton, Motor vehicle parts & accessories, Centrifuges, and Computers. Key Trade Partners: Dominican Republic, Honduras, Peru, Colombia, and Panama
Intermodal System
On-dock Intermodal Rail Service: PortMiami has partnered with the Florida East Coast Railway (FEC) to provide on-dock rail service directly connecting the port to the national rail system via the Hialeah Intermodal Rail yard.
What We Love About Miami, FL
With beautiful weather, great entertainment, and a thriving tourism industry it's easy to see why Miami, Florida is where people...and containers prefer to retire. The Port of Miami (PortMiami) has been ranked one of the top container ports in the world by the World Bank Group and S&P Global Market Intelligence Container Port Performance Index for 2021. Additionally, Miami ranked the second most efficient port in North America. Home of the Crystal, Carnival, Disney, Viking, And Norwegian cruise lines, The Port of Miami welcomes more than 5,000,000 passengers a year.
In 2021 PortMiami welcomed the largest vessel to come to Miami. The 15,000 TEU CMA CGM Argentina is about 23 containers wide and the largest to port in Florida. Currently, Port Miami welcomes roughly 1,200,000 shipping containers per year.
Miami is embracing the creative potential of shipping containers, transforming them into vibrant hubs of activity. From the Wynwood district's trendy pop-up shops and art galleries to eco-friendly container homes in urban areas, these versatile structures are being repurposed in innovative ways. Shipping containers have also been used to create stylish restaurants, co-working spaces, and even modular event venues that reflect Miami's dynamic, forward-thinking culture. With their adaptability and cost-effectiveness, shipping containers in Miami exemplify how upcycling can blend sustainability with cutting-edge design.