The board of directors of Jacksonville Port Authority (JAXPORT) has unanimously approved a US$62 million long-term deal with Blount Island terminal operator Trailer Bridge.
A Jacksonville-based company, Trailer Bridge provides barge services twice a week between Jacksonville and Puerto Rico and operates as a complete logistics provider in domestic and international trade.
“Our partnership with JAXPORT began more than 30 years ago, and today, we celebrate the next chapter in our commitment to serving the island of Puerto Rico,” said Trailer Bridge CEO, Mitch Luciano.
“We are proud to be a critical piece of the supply chain that delivers the goods our neighbors on the island need in their everyday lives,” he added.
From the end of 2023, according to the agreement between the two parties, Trailer Bridge will remain at Blount Island at least until 2041, reflecting the lease of the company with the Port Authority of Puerto Rico (PRPA).
At the same time, the company will expand its leasehold at Blount Island, raising its total area to about 138,000 m².
“22% of the cargo that moves between Jacksonville and Puerto Rico flows through Trailer Bridge,” pointed out PRPA executive director, Joel A. Pizá-Batiz, who went on to highlight that “knowing that Trailer Bridge will operate from JAXPORT for another 18 years gives us a lot of commercial certainty as we plan for the future.”
Last year, JAXPORT signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the PRPA to affirm the ongoing work of both organisations to develop maritime trade between Jacksonville and Puerto Rico.
In this way, cooperation continues in key areas, such as business development, environmental protection, operations, and security.
“Today’s agreement is another significant step toward reinforcing our commitment to serving the people of Puerto Rico,” said JAXPORT CEO, Eric Green.
“We are grateful for our partnership with Trailer Bridge and the Puerto Rico Ports Authority and look forward to continuing to work together to grow this important trade relationship for the benefit of our communities,” he concluded.
It should be noted that Trailer Bridge is one of three Puerto Rican ocean carriers operating between Jacksonville and Puerto Rico.
