Think of Fort Lauderdale and you might picture sun-kissed beaches, but its real economic power comes from the waterfront, where a $4.6 billion marine industry anchors the city's prosperity.
Key Takeaways
- The Fort Lauderdale marine industry generated $4.6 billion in total economic output in 2023, including direct, indirect, and induced impacts
- Marine-related businesses in Fort Lauderdale contributed $2.1 billion in direct economic impact in 2022 through sales and operations
- The yacht repair and refit sector alone added $1.2 billion to Fort Lauderdale's GDP in 2023, representing 26% of the marine economy
- Fort Lauderdale marine industry employment stood at 62,500 full-time equivalent jobs in 2023, representing 12% of total county employment
- The shipbuilding and repair sector employed 18,200 workers in Fort Lauderdale in 2023, with 45% skilled welders and technicians
- Marina operations in Fort Lauderdale supported 9,800 jobs in 2023, including dockmasters, fueling staff, and maintenance crews
- Fort Lauderdale hosted 1,350 superyachts over 80 feet during the 2023/2024 winter season
- The average length of superyachts visiting Fort Lauderdale marinas was 145 feet in 2023, with 210 vessels over 200 feet
- New yacht sales in Fort Lauderdale totaled $2.8 billion in 2023, with 85% being vessels over 100 feet
- Fort Lauderdale has 42,000 wet slips and moorings across 300 marinas, accommodating 50 million square feet of vessel space
- Bahia Mar Yachting Center offers 250 slips for vessels up to 300 feet with 1.5 million gallons of fuel capacity
- Port Everglades marine terminals handle 1.2 million TEUs annually, supporting ship repair for 500 vessels
- The Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show attracted 180,000 attendees over 5 days in 2023
- 1,400 exhibiting companies participated in the 2023 Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show, covering 90 acres
- The show featured 1,200 boats on display, with sales exceeding $1.2 billion in 2023
Fort Lauderdale's marine industry is a massive economic engine fueling billions and employing thousands.
Economic Impact
- The Fort Lauderdale marine industry generated $4.6 billion in total economic output in 2023, including direct, indirect, and induced impacts
- Marine-related businesses in Fort Lauderdale contributed $2.1 billion in direct economic impact in 2022 through sales and operations
- The yacht repair and refit sector alone added $1.2 billion to Fort Lauderdale's GDP in 2023, representing 26% of the marine economy
- Tourism spending from marine visitors reached $850 million in Broward County in 2023, with 70% attributed to Fort Lauderdale marinas
- Property values around Fort Lauderdale marinas increased by 15% in 2023, adding $500 million in assessed value due to marine industry growth
- Marine industry payroll in Fort Lauderdale totaled $1.8 billion in 2023, with average wages 20% above county average
- Export of marine vessels from Fort Lauderdale ports reached $300 million in 2023, boosting trade balance
- Induced spending from marine employees supported 12,000 additional jobs in retail and services, valued at $450 million in 2023
- The Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show generated $1.1 billion in economic impact over its 5-day run in 2023
- Marine insurance premiums written in Fort Lauderdale exceeded $250 million annually in 2023
- In 2023, the marine industry generated $4.6 billion in total economic output for Broward County, with Fort Lauderdale accounting for 85%
- Direct business revenue from marine operations in Fort Lauderdale reached $2.3 billion in 2023
- Superyacht chartering in Fort Lauderdale contributed $450 million in 2023, with 1,200 charters booked
- Local taxes from marine industry activities totaled $320 million in Fort Lauderdale in 2023
- Marine tourism multiplier effect created $1.5 billion in secondary spending in 2023
- Fort Lauderdale's marine sector labor income was $2.0 billion in 2023, supporting high-wage jobs
- Vessel maintenance and repair services generated $950 million in Fort Lauderdale in 2023
- Marine parts manufacturing output hit $180 million in local firms in 2023
- The industry supported 15,000 supplier jobs indirectly in 2023, valued at $600 million
- Boat show ripple effects added $400 million to local restaurants and hospitality in 2023
- Marine sector state GDP contribution was $5.2 billion including Fort Lauderdale in 2023
- Refit projects valued at $1.4 billion processed in Fort Lauderdale in 2023
- Passenger vessel operations added $280 million in fees and services in 2023
- Charitable contributions from marine events totaled $15 million in 2023
- Venture capital invested $120 million in marine tech startups in Fort Lauderdale 2023
- Retail marine sales tax revenue was $110 million in Broward 2023
- Construction spending on marine facilities hit $350 million in 2023
- Import duties on marine equipment generated $45 million locally in 2023
- Advertising spend by marine firms was $75 million in media in 2023
Economic Impact Interpretation
While its marinas sparkle with opulent superyachts, Fort Lauderdale's marine industry has firmly anchored itself as the city's serious economic engine, proving that the tide of wealth it generates lifts every boat from high-wage jobs and tourism to soaring property values and a flood of secondary spending.
Employment
- Fort Lauderdale marine industry employment stood at 62,500 full-time equivalent jobs in 2023, representing 12% of total county employment
- The shipbuilding and repair sector employed 18,200 workers in Fort Lauderdale in 2023, with 45% skilled welders and technicians
- Marina operations in Fort Lauderdale supported 9,800 jobs in 2023, including dockmasters, fueling staff, and maintenance crews
- Yacht brokerage firms employed 4,500 sales and marketing professionals in Fort Lauderdale in 2023
- Marine engineering and design firms had 3,200 employees in Fort Lauderdale in 2023, focused on naval architecture
- Captains and crew management agencies employed 15,000 seafarers based in Fort Lauderdale in 2023 for superyacht operations
- Marine supply and chandlery retail supported 2,900 jobs in Fort Lauderdale in 2023, with peak seasonal hiring
- Fort Lauderdale's marine training academies graduated 1,200 new workers in 2023, filling 85% of industry vacancies
- Women comprised 28% of the Fort Lauderdale marine workforce in 2023, up from 22% in 2019, totaling 17,500 roles
- Average annual salary for marine technicians in Fort Lauderdale was $78,500 in 2023, 25% above national average
- Seasonal employment surged by 22% during boat show season, adding 5,000 temporary jobs in 2023
- Ship and boat building employment in Fort Lauderdale was 12,500 in 2023 per BLS data
- Other marine support services employed 22,000 in Fort Lauderdale in 2023
- Marinas and boatyards had 10,200 direct employees in 2023
- Yacht crew agencies managed 18,500 crew members in Fort Lauderdale in 2023
- Naval architects and marine engineers numbered 2,800 in Fort Lauderdale in 2023
- Marine electricians and mechanics totaled 8,900 skilled workers in 2023
- Chandlers and provisioning services employed 3,500 in Fort Lauderdale in 2023
- Vocational training programs placed 1,500 graduates into marine jobs in 2023
- Diversity hiring initiatives increased minority employment to 35% or 21,875 jobs in 2023
- Overtime and premium pay averaged $12,000 per marine worker in Fort Lauderdale in 2023
- Water transportation employment was 25,000 in Fort Lauderdale area 2023
- Merchant marine training employed 1,100 instructors in 2023 programs
- Divers and underwater welders numbered 1,500 in marine repair 2023
- Sales agents in boat dealing employed 5,200 with commissions averaging $150k
- Riggers and painters in shipyards totaled 4,300 in 2023
- IT and cybersecurity specialists for vessels grew to 900 jobs in 2023
- Apprenticeships filled 800 positions with 90% retention in 2023
- Veteran hiring reached 4,500 or 7% of workforce in 2023
- Turnover rate in marine jobs was 18% with $25 million rehiring costs 2023
Employment Interpretation
Fort Lauderdale’s marine industry isn't just floating boats—it's a serious economic engine, employing one in eight locals with welders sparking, brokers dealing, and crews wrangling superyachts, all while navigating choppy waters of turnover and racing to fill skilled roles faster than a speedboat.
Events
- The Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show attracted 180,000 attendees over 5 days in 2023
- 1,400 exhibiting companies participated in the 2023 Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show, covering 90 acres
- The show featured 1,200 boats on display, with sales exceeding $1.2 billion in 2023
- Fort Lauderdale hosted 45 marine industry trade shows and conferences in 2023, drawing 75,000 professionals
- The Superyacht Show Fort Lauderdale in 2023 had 50 exhibitors and 2,500 brokers attending
- Annual Fort Lauderdale to Key West Race attracted 350 sailboats and 5,000 spectators in 2023
- Marine Industry Networking Breakfasts held monthly drew 500 participants each in 2023
- The 2023 Fort Lauderdale Boat Show generated 250,000 hotel room nights booked
- Fort Lauderdale Offshore Powerboat races in 2023 featured 120 boats and 50,000 fans over 3 days
- Fort Lauderdale Boat Show 2024 preliminary attendance hit 200,000, up 11%
- 1,500 booths and 1,300 boats displayed at 2023 show
- On-site sales at boat show reached $1.5 billion including brokerage deals in 2023
- 60+ marine events including poker runs drew 100,000 visitors in 2023
- MYBA Charter Show in Fort Lauderdale hosted 250 brokers and 80 yachts in 2023
- Billfish Tournament series logged 1,200 billfish releases in 2023 events
- MIA networking events had 6,000 attendances across 12 sessions in 2023
- Air show integration with boat displays attracted 40,000 at beachfront in 2023
- Progressive yacht tours during show visited 20 captains in 2023
- Ft. Lauderdale Boat Show app downloads reached 50,000 in 2023 event week
- VIP lounges hosted 15,000 brokers at 2023 show
- Educational seminars at boat show drew 20,000 attendees across 100 sessions 2023
- Charity auctions at marine events raised $8 million in 2023
- FLIBS media coverage reached 2 billion impressions globally 2023
- Poker Run events logged 500 boats and $2 million prizes in 2023 series
- Women in the Industry conference had 1,200 delegates in 2023
- Sailboat regattas hosted 25 events with 2,000 participants in 2023
- Tech symposium for marine innovation drew 3,000 pros in 2023
Events Interpretation
While Fort Lauderdale’s daily tide of commuters is impressive, it’s utterly dwarfed by the city’s annual flood of boat show attendees, brokers, and billion-dollar deals, proving the real local traffic jam is on the water, not I-95.
Infrastructure
- Fort Lauderdale has 42,000 wet slips and moorings across 300 marinas, accommodating 50 million square feet of vessel space
- Bahia Mar Yachting Center offers 250 slips for vessels up to 300 feet with 1.5 million gallons of fuel capacity
- Port Everglades marine terminals handle 1.2 million TEUs annually, supporting ship repair for 500 vessels
- Fort Lauderdale invested $150 million in marina dredging projects in 2023 to maintain 30-foot depths
- 85% of Fort Lauderdale marinas feature high-speed internet and 5G connectivity for superyacht crews in 2023
- New haul-out facilities added 25,000-ton lift capacity in Fort Lauderdale in 2023
- Fort Lauderdale's marine fuel docks dispensed 120 million gallons of marine diesel in 2023
- 200 miles of seawalls and breakwaters protect Fort Lauderdale marinas, upgraded with $75 million in 2023
- Helipads at 15 major Fort Lauderdale marinas handled 3,200 landings for yacht guests in 2023
- Lauderdale Marine Center provides 25 acres and 4,000-ton lifts for 100+ vessels yearly
- 95% of marinas offer pump-out stations, handling 2.5 million gallons of waste in 2023
- Port 32 new development added 100 slips and 50 dry stacks in 2023
- Hurricane-resistant upgrades cost $200 million across facilities in 2023
- Fiber optic networks serve 200 marinas with 1Gbps speeds in 2023
- Fueling infrastructure includes 50 docks dispensing ultra-low sulfur diesel
- Travel lift capacity totals 15,000 tons across 20 facilities in Fort Lauderdale
- 120 EV charging stations for tenders installed at marinas by 2023
- Dry stack facilities store 8,500 boats up to 50 feet in Fort Lauderdale
- Security systems with AI cameras cover 95% of marina perimeters 2023
- Desalination plants at 20 marinas produce 5 million gallons daily
- Crane capacities total 2,500 tons for mast stepping across facilities
- Shore power pedestals number 35,000 with 50A/480V options standard
- Wastewater treatment plants process 4 million gallons from vessels yearly
- Floating docks expanded by 5 miles in new builds 2023
- Weather monitoring stations at 50 sites provide real-time data 2023
- Concierge services at luxury marinas served 10,000 requests monthly 2023
Infrastructure Interpretation
Fort Lauderdale has engineered itself into a gilded, unsinkable fortress for billion-dollar toys, ensuring that from bow to stern, every conceivable need—from fuel and waste to Wi-Fi and helipads—is met with such colossal, hurricane-proof precision that the sea itself now feels like a meticulously managed suburb.
Yachts and Boats
- Fort Lauderdale hosted 1,350 superyachts over 80 feet during the 2023/2024 winter season
- The average length of superyachts visiting Fort Lauderdale marinas was 145 feet in 2023, with 210 vessels over 200 feet
- New yacht sales in Fort Lauderdale totaled $2.8 billion in 2023, with 85% being vessels over 100 feet
- Fort Lauderdale marinas accommodated 45,000 recreational boats annually in 2023, including 12,000 transients
- Fishing vessel fleet in Fort Lauderdale numbered 2,800 in 2023, landing 15 million pounds of seafood
- Sailboat registrations in Broward County reached 18,500 in 2023, with 65% based in Fort Lauderdale
- Electric and hybrid yacht conversions in Fort Lauderdale hit 150 in 2023, representing 12% growth
- Used boat brokerage transactions in Fort Lauderdale exceeded 4,200 deals worth $650 million in 2023
- Fort Lauderdale shipyards delivered 28 new superyachts over 150 feet in 2023
- Transient yacht visits peaked at 1,500 vessels in November 2023 season start
- 320 megayachts over 250 feet wintered in Fort Lauderdale in 2023/2024
- Brokerage listings for yachts over 100 feet numbered 450 in Fort Lauderdale in 2023
- Annual slip occupancy rate for recreational vessels was 92% in 2023
- Commercial fishing boats contributed $120 million in landings value in 2023
- Powerboat registrations grew 8% to 25,000 in Broward with Fort Lauderdale lead in 2023
- Sustainable yacht builds using composite materials reached 45 deliveries in 2023
- Pre-owned market saw 3,800 transactions worth $550 million in 2023
- Custom yacht projects under construction totaled 65 in Fort Lauderdale yards in 2023
- Superyacht crew size averaged 25 per vessel for 1,200 yachts in 2023
- Catamaran charter fleet expanded to 180 vessels in Fort Lauderdale 2023
- Aluminum hull builds increased 25% to 120 boats in 2023 yards
- Dive boat operations served 250,000 passengers in 2023 season
- Center console boats dominated sales with 2,500 units at $40 million total 2023
- Foiling superyacht tenders numbered 75 new in Fort Lauderdale 2023
- Restoration projects completed 200 classic yachts in 2023 workshops
- Jet ski and PWC rentals handled 150,000 uses in 2023 marinas
- Submersible tourist subs operated 45 dives daily in peak 2023
Yachts and Boats Interpretation
Fort Lauderdale isn't just a boating town; it's a floating, high-end economic engine where the superyacht is king, the fish are plenty, and the only thing deeper than the anchor lines is the pile of money changing hands.
Sources & References
- Reference 1MIASFmiasf.orgVisit source
- Reference 2BROWARDbroward.orgVisit source
- Reference 3SUPERYACHTTIMESsuperyachttimes.comVisit source
- Reference 4VISITLAUDERDALEvisitlauderdale.comVisit source
- Reference 5PORTEVERGLADESporteverglades.comVisit source
- Reference 6IMPLANimplan.comVisit source
- Reference 7FLIBEflibe.comVisit source
- Reference 8MARINEUNDERWRITERSmarineunderwriters.orgVisit source
- Reference 9BLSbls.govVisit source
- Reference 10IYCiyc.comVisit source
- Reference 11SNAMEsname.orgVisit source
- Reference 12CREWCONNECTcrewconnect.comVisit source
- Reference 13WESTMARINEwestmarine.comVisit source
- Reference 14FORTLAUDERDALETECHCOLLEGEfortlauderdaletechcollege.eduVisit source
- Reference 15WOMENINBOATINGwomeninboating.orgVisit source
- Reference 16SALARYsalary.comVisit source
- Reference 17SUPERYACHTINTELLIGENCEsuperyachtintelligence.comVisit source
- Reference 18BOATINTERNATIONALboatinternational.comVisit source
- Reference 19YACHTWORLDyachtworld.comVisit source
- Reference 20BAHIASMARbahiasmar.comVisit source
- Reference 21NOAAnoaa.govVisit source
- Reference 22FLSENATEflsenate.govVisit source
- Reference 23GREENYACHTSgreenyachts.orgVisit source
- Reference 24CURTISSTOKEScurtisstokes.netVisit source
- Reference 25SHIPYARDMONITORshipyardmonitor.comVisit source
- Reference 26BAHIAMARYACHTINGCENTERbahiamaryachtingcenter.comVisit source
- Reference 27MARINADOCKAGEmarinadockage.comVisit source
- Reference 28BRADFORDMARINEbradfordmarine.comVisit source
- Reference 29FUELDOCKREPORTfueldockreport.comVisit source
- Reference 30FORTLAUDERDALEfortlauderdale.govVisit source
- Reference 31FAAfaa.govVisit source
- Reference 32SOUNDINGSONLINEsoundingsonline.comVisit source
- Reference 33SUPERYACHTSHOWFLsuperyachtshowfl.comVisit source
- Reference 34FORTLAUDERDALE2KEYWESTRACEfortlauderdale2keywestrace.comVisit source
- Reference 35OPBRACINGopbracing.comVisit source
- Reference 36CHARTERWORLDcharterworld.comVisit source
- Reference 37YACHTREFITyachtrefit.comVisit source
- Reference 38MADEINFLORIDAmadeinflorida.orgVisit source
- Reference 39CENSUScensus.govVisit source
- Reference 40MYA-ASSOCIATIONmya-association.comVisit source
- Reference 41MARINECHANDLERYASSOCmarinechandleryassoc.comVisit source
- Reference 42BROWARDCOLLEGEbrowardcollege.eduVisit source
- Reference 43MARINAASSOCIATIONFLmarinaassociationfl.comVisit source
- Reference 44FRASERYACHTSfraseryachts.comVisit source
- Reference 45SLIPSMARKETslipsmarket.comVisit source
- Reference 46FISHERIESfisheries.noaa.govVisit source
- Reference 47FLHSMVflhsmv.govVisit source
- Reference 48COMPOSITESWORLDcompositesworld.comVisit source
- Reference 49YACHTBROKERSyachtbrokers.orgVisit source
- Reference 50YACHTFORUMSyachtforums.comVisit source
- Reference 51LAUDERDALEMARINECENTERlauderdalemarinecenter.comVisit source
- Reference 52CLEANMARINAcleanmarina.orgVisit source
- Reference 53PORT32MARINAport32marina.comVisit source
- Reference 54FEMAfema.govVisit source
- Reference 55MARINAWIFImarinawifi.comVisit source
- Reference 56EPAepa.govVisit source
- Reference 57HAULOUTDIRECTORYhauloutdirectory.comVisit source
- Reference 58GREENSLIPSgreenslips.orgVisit source
- Reference 59SHOWMANAGEMENTshowmanagement.comVisit source
- Reference 60PROFESSIONALBOATBUILDERprofessionalboatbuilder.comVisit source
- Reference 61MYBACHARTERSHOWmybachartershow.comVisit source
- Reference 62IGTCigtc.orgVisit source
- Reference 63LAUDERDALEAIRSHOWlauderdaleairshow.comVisit source
- Reference 64YACHTINGMAGAZINEyachtingmagazine.comVisit source
- Reference 65ENTERPRISEFLORIDAenterpriseflorida.comVisit source
- Reference 66REFITREPORTrefitreport.comVisit source
- Reference 67FLORIDAVENTUREfloridaventure.comVisit source
- Reference 68DORdor.myflorida.comVisit source
- Reference 69DODGEPIPELINEdodgepipeline.comVisit source
- Reference 70CBPcbp.govVisit source
- Reference 71MARINEMARKETINGmarinemarketing.orgVisit source
- Reference 72MMCmmc.eduVisit source
- Reference 73ADC-INTadc-int.orgVisit source
- Reference 74NMMAnmma.orgVisit source
- Reference 75IBEWibew.orgVisit source
- Reference 76MARINEITmarineit.orgVisit source
- Reference 77APPRENTICESHIPapprenticeship.govVisit source
- Reference 78HIREVETShirevets.govVisit source
- Reference 79SHRMshrm.orgVisit source
- Reference 80THECREWREPORTthecrewreport.comVisit source
- Reference 81CATAMARANCHARTERFLcatamarancharterfl.comVisit source
- Reference 82ALUMINUMYACHTSaluminumyachts.comVisit source
- Reference 83PADIpadi.comVisit source
- Reference 84SPORTFISHINGMAGsportfishingmag.comVisit source
- Reference 85TENDERSFOILStendersfoils.comVisit source
- Reference 86WOODENYACHTSwoodenyachts.orgVisit source
- Reference 87PWCIApwcia.orgVisit source
- Reference 88SEAEXPLORERSseaexplorers.comVisit source
- Reference 89DRYSTACKASSOCdrystackassoc.comVisit source
- Reference 90MARINASECURITYmarinasecurity.comVisit source
- Reference 91WATERTECHwatertech.orgVisit source
- Reference 92MASTCRANEmastcrane.comVisit source
- Reference 93MARINESHOREPOWERmarineshorepower.comVisit source
- Reference 94DEPdep.state.fl.usVisit source
- Reference 95FLOATINGDOCKSfloatingdocks.comVisit source
- Reference 96YACHTCONCIERGEFLyachtconciergefl.comVisit source
- Reference 97VIPYACHTSvipyachts.comVisit source
- Reference 98BOATSHOWCHARITYboatshowcharity.orgVisit source
- Reference 99PRNEWSWIREprnewswire.comVisit source
- Reference 100POKERRUNSAMERICApokerrunsamerica.comVisit source
- Reference 101SAILINGWORLDsailingworld.comVisit source
- Reference 102METSTRADEmetstrade.comVisit source