Easing congestion

Work to increase the channel’s depth to 47 feet is on track to finish as early as May this year, said the chief executive in his State of the Port address to 400 transportation and logistics professionals.

“The solution to the nation’s port congestion problem is right here in this room,” said Eric Green, chief executive of Jacksonville Port Authority (JAXPORT). “As the industry looks to combat everything from truck capacity issues to labour and equipment challenges, protecting the supply chain is a global priority. That’s where Jacksonville’s modern deepwater seaport comes in.”

As well as deepening the channel, the project at Blount Island Marine Terminal will see the construction of a turning basin for larger ships as well as a US$100 million investment in berth enhancements to accommodate two post-Panamax ships. By the end of the year, terminal operator SSA Atlantic will also welcome three new container cranes and complete the first 20 acres of an upgrade to enable more containers to be accommodated.

JAXPORT is also investing US$36 million in expanding a primary RoRo berth at Blount Island to dock two vessels from a single berth and exploring ways to build its breakbulk capacity.

In 2021, a record-breaking 1.4 million containers moved through JAXPORT, maintaining its position as Florida’s largest container port and one of the top ten in the country.