Contractors for Southeast Toyota Distributors, the largest independent distributor of Toyotas worldwide, are making significant progress on a new 31,587 m² auto processing facility at JAXPORT’s Blount Island Marine Terminal.
According to a statement, J.E. Dunn Construction, the project’s contractor, has finished the foundations and is now constructing the concrete walls. The installation of structural steel framing is scheduled to begin in late July.
“We are proud of the partnership we have built with Southeast Toyota Distributors over the past five decades and grateful for their commitment to bringing this world-class facility to Jacksonville,” stated Eric Green, CEO at JAXPORT.
The US$145 million public-private partnership, planned for completion in summer 2025, aims to modernize operations with additional on-site rail connections and truck loading areas.
This project is funded by Southeast Toyota Distributors and has received a US$19.78 million grant from the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT).
Upon completion, Southeast Toyota Distributors will relocate from its 202,342 m² facility at JAXPORT’s Talleyrand Marine Terminal and a nearby 93,077 m² private facility to a consolidated 356,123 m² property at Blount Island. This move will create operational efficiencies and provide additional space to accommodate more vehicles.
To further support vehicle processing at Blount Island, JAXPORT, in collaboration with FDOT, is enhancing two berths. One berth is being expanded to handle two vehicles simultaneously, and the other is being widened to accommodate larger ships more efficiently.
Furthermore, Southeast Toyota Distributors, a JAXPORT tenant for over 50 years, processes Toyota vehicles manufactured in North America and Japan for distribution across the Southeast United States.
In 2023, the company moved over 120,000 vehicles through JAXPORT. Their Jacksonville operations support over 800 jobs, including processing, parts and distribution, technical support, and training.
