The Jacksonville Port Authority (JAXPORT) has recorded an increase of 15% in container volumes during the Fiscal Year 2021 (1 October 2020 – 30 September 2021), compared to the corresponding period of last year, by moving more than 1 million containers.
Despite this growth, Florida’s largest container port makes a constant effort in order to totally recover from the disruptions caused by the pandemic.
With this vision, the port will conduct some improvement projects that will be completed by the end of 2022, such as the deepening of Jacksonville’s shipping channel to more than 14 meters, and the construction of a new vessel turning basin that will increase the terminal’s container capacity.
JAXPORT said that more than US$100 million in berth enhancements to enable Blount Island to simultaneously accommodate two post-Panamax vessels will also be completed in coordination with the deepening project. In addition, US$70 million in phased yard improvements are underway to increase the terminal’s container capacity.
“Jacksonville’s ease of doing business and our ability to maintain the free flow of cargo on both the waterside and landside make us an attractive option for shippers, no matter what supply chain challenges the industry faces,” stated JAXPORT’s CEO, Eric Green.
Supporting this effort, the State of Florida will allocate US$13.7 million in federal Covid-19 relief funding for JAXPORT through the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) that will determine the criteria for how the funds can be used.
“JAXPORT is extremely grateful for the long-standing support we have received from Florida Governor Ron DeSantis and Florida Department of Transportation Secretary Kevin Thibault over the years and throughout the pandemic,” commented Green.
“This last year has been a particularly challenging one for our industry, with the pandemic bringing cruise business to a halt and reducing cargo volumes and revenue for Florida ports. Through this historic investment, JAXPORT is well-positioned to not only protect Florida Jobs but to also continue to grow our port and the positive impact we have on the economy of our region and state,” he added.
Florida’s seaports are critically important to the state’s economy as cargo and cruise activity through Jacksonville’s seaport alone generates nearly 139,300 jobs and more than US$31.1 billion in annual economic impact for the region and state.
