Florida ports is citing JAXPORT (Jacksonville Port Authority) as an alternative gateway to the US port congestion problem much like many ports in the East and Southeast United States.

Florida ports said JAXPORT has maintained berth and terminal fluidity —and set a new container volume record — amid global supply chain disruption due to the efficiencies of facilities at the port as well as its labor, and service providers, combined with the port’s strategic location within fast reach of 98 million U.S. consumers.

“We have the opportunity to provide shipping lines and beneficial cargo owners a more efficient route that can get their product not only to the third largest domestic market in the country but also to other markets outside of Florida within two days,” Florida Ports Council President and CEO Michael Rubin said of the efficiencies of Florida seaports.

More routes at JAXPORT

In a statement, Florida ports noted that the most recent sign that the industry is taking notice of JAXPORT’s advantages is global shipping line Hapag-Lloyd announcing that the company is temporarily rerouting a European container service through JAXPORT.

The change is part of an effort to “optimize our service portfolio, stabilize schedules and adapt to market needs,” according to Hapag-Lloyd.

Hapag-Lloyd’s Atlantic Loop 3 (AL3) rotation will begin calling JAXPORT’s TraPac Container Terminal in mid-November. The service call will last for at least eight weeks and bring an estimated 1,000 additional TEUs (containers) a week through JAXPORT.

JAXPORT is also on-track to finishing its current fiscal year on a high note, on pace to move a record 1.4 million TEUs (containers) while achieving strong vehicle volumes.

Deepening projects underway

Looking ahead, Florida ports noted that 2022 will be a year of "incredible growth" and opportunity for Jacksonville’s port with the deepening of the shipping channel to 47 feet — to be completed through Blount Island by the end of next year.

The deepening includes construction of a vessel turning basin to allow larger ships to turn at Blount Island berths.

Building on the efficiencies created by the deepening project, JAXPORT recently awarded a US$48 million construction services contract for terminal improvements to enable the SSA Jacksonville Container Terminal at Blount Island to accommodate more containers.

Upon completion of the project in 2024, the SSA facility will be able to accommodate up to 500,000 TEUs (containers) annually, a 150% increase over the facility’s current throughput.

"The expansion will grow JAXPORT’s total TEU throughput capability to nearly two million TEUs a year, an increase of more than 40%," Florida ports said, adding that other improvements include more than US$100 million in berth enhancements to enable Blount Island to simultaneously accommodate two post-Panamax vessels, which will be completed in coordination with the deepening project.

JAXPORT is Florida’s largest container port and one of the nation’s top vehicle-handling ports.