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Currently, cruise ships sailing from Jacksonville operate from a temporary cruise terminal provided by the Jacksonville Port Authority (JAXPORT). To get to this terminal, all ships must sail beneath electric power lines and the Dames Point Bridge, both which cross the St. Johns River. More than 80 percent of cruise ships in service today are too tall to do so and the cruise industry is phasing out smaller vessels which fit comfortably underneath the bridge and power lines. To accommodate cruise ships in the long-term, JAXPORT is in the process of reviewing options for a permanent cruise terminal free of height restrictions. You'll find answers to most of your questions about this process below. However, if you have a question not listed here, please contact JAXPORT Director of Communications Nancy Rubin at (904) 357-3012 or nancy.rubin@jaxport.com.
The existing JAXPORT Cruise Terminal
Why not use JAXPORT's current cruise facility at Dames Point as a permanent terminal?
What will happen to the current temporary cruise terminal once a new terminal is built?
A new cruise terminal
Where will JAXPORT build a permanent cruise terminal?
What is the timeline for construction of a cruise terminal?
What will happen if Jacksonville does not provide a permanent terminal east of the Dames Point Bridge?
How likely is it that Jacksonville will be able to attract the industry's newer and larger ships?
Why work so hard to keep the cruise industry in Jacksonville?
How might a terminal affect local traffic?
How would heightened security around a potential terminal affect local access?
Would this idea limit public access to the waterfront?
Environmental issues
What about environmental concerns? What about the sewage from the ships?
How will cruise ships affect river traffic?
For more information
What will JAXPORT do next?
Why not use JAXPORT's current cruise facility at Dames Point as a permanent terminal?
To get to the existing JAXPORT Cruise Terminal on Dames Point, all ships must sail beneath the JEA power lines (which cross Blount Island) and the Dames Point Bridge. The clearance beneath the bridge and power lines is 174 feet. More than 80 percent of cruise ships today cannot get to the terminal because they exceed this height. Additionally, the cruise industry trend is to build increasingly taller ships, many exceeding 190 feet in height. These newer vessels include much sought-after amenities such as balcony rooms and extensive recreational and entertainment facilities. To accommodate these newer vessels, they must call at a terminal without height restrictions.
In addition to the height restrictions of the present cruise terminal location, moving the terminal to a more tourist-friendly site would make it easier to provide pre-and post-cruise activities for passengers. As the Dames Point site was always meant to revert back to cargo use, JAXPORT and South Korean shipping firm Hanjin Shipping Co. will develop the current temporary cruise site into a container terminal with a planned opening in 2013.
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What will happen to the current temporary cruise terminal once a new terminal is built?
The temporary cruise terminal will be converted into a cargo-handling facility, a strategy planned when the temporary facility was designed in 2003. JAXPORT built the temporary facility as a short-term measure to quickly accommodate Celebrity Cruises' decision in March 2003 to homeport a vessel in Jacksonville as a test beginning in October 2003. JAXPORT did not have enough time to purchase property and construct a permanent terminal in time for Celebrity's first sailing, and did not find it prudent to make a large financial investment in a permanent terminal for this test. Instead, the Port Authority built the temporary terminal on property it already owned at an existing cargo berth west of the bridge. While the facility has been effective for the short-term, it was designed as a temporary fix until a site for a permanent terminal location could be identified.
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Where will JAXPORT build a permanent cruise terminal?
Engineering firm Han-Padron Associates studied in fall 2004 the entire length of the St. Johns River from Mayport to the JEA power lines looking for a location for a permanent cruise terminal. This review revealed potential locations for a permanent cruise terminal.
JAXPORT has reviewed these options for years. In April 2008, JAXPORT's Board of Directors approved the purchase of several parcels of Mayport property. Combined with the former City of Jacksonville properties associated with operating the St. Johns River Ferry, these properties (about 8 acres in total) preserve JAXPORT's options to construct a terminal for cruise ships, although there's been no final decision on a location.
During the March 2010 JAXPORT Board of Directors meeting, the Board authorized JAXPORT management to research and provide information regarding the future potential and impact of cruise business in Jacksonville. Citing the Board’s responsibility to provide economic value and support jobs in Northeast Florida, JAXPORT Board Chairman David Kulik said the process to move forward with cruise business will be all inclusive. “We will hear all alternatives,” he said. “We will listen. We will do what is in the best interest of Jacksonville.”
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What is the timeline for construction of a cruise terminal?
JAXPORT's Board of Directors has not given final approval for a location nor construction. No timetable for a decision has been set.
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What will happen if Jacksonville does not provide a permanent terminal east of the Dames Point Bridge?
Eventually, the city would lose the cruise business as the industry continues to build taller ships which cannot access JAXPORT's present facility. Competing ports are also interested in enhancing or entering the cruise business if Jacksonville cannot accommodate cruises in the future.
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How likely is it that Jacksonville will be able to attract the industry's newer and larger ships?
JAXPORT is optimistic that the cruise lines eventually will bring their newer ships here if a facility capable of handling them is provided. The major cruise lines have encouraged Jacksonville to build a terminal without height restrictions. If Jacksonville does not build a terminal east of the Dames Point Bridge, the newer ships cannot come.
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Why work so hard to keep the cruise industry in Jacksonville?
JAXPORT's mission is to bring jobs and economic opportunity to Northeast Florida, and having the cruise industry in the city helps us fulfill that goal. With just one cruise vessel sailing from Jacksonville, the cruise industry has created an estimated 460 new jobs and more than $67 million in new annual economic impact for Northeast Florida.
More than 60 percent of the economic impact from cruise ships comes from passengers, many of whom stay in Jacksonville before or after their cruise. They spend money as tourists at hotels, restaurants, rental car agencies, taxi and car shuttle services, gasoline stations, shopping centers, golf courses and similar attractions. Additionally, each ship has more than 900 crewmembers, many of whom spend money while in port making purchases at area stores, eating at local restaurants, renting cars, taking taxis, and using area services.
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How might a terminal affect local traffic?
Generally, cruise passengers get off the ship mid-morning and get on between lunchtime and early afternoon. This means they drive opposite the normal traffic flow of the area and would not add to rush hour congestion.
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How would heightened security around a potential terminal affect local access?
Certainly, a JAXPORT Cruise Terminal would require 24-hour security which would be heightened while a ship is in port. However, local residents would not be required to pass through any security checkpoints during the regular course of their day.
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Would this idea limit public access to the waterfront?
Besides the area occupied by the terminal and ship's berth, there is no intention to restrict public access to the waterfront, unless security issues must be addressed while a ship is actually docked at the terminal. There is a possibility that adjacent development attracted by a potential terminal would actually increase public access to the river by offering public docks or boardwalks. On days when no cruise ship is in berth, JAXPORT planners hope to offer public access to the cruise terminal waterfront and potentially the terminal building.
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What about environmental concerns? What about the sewage from the ships?
Investigating all environmental questions will be a crucial part of any initial study. In addition to researching the impact of a terminal operation, it is also important for JAXPORT to know if any clean-up of the properties involved would be required. There will be no discharge of sewage or other waste into Florida waters following a long-standing agreement between the state and the cruise industry. Above all, JAXPORT will continue working to protect the valuable natural resource that is the St. Johns River, which allows us to fulfill our mission to bring economic benefit to the region through seaport commerce.
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How will cruise ships affect river traffic?
Cruise terminal operations should not affect normal river traffic. The U.S. Coast Guard provides escort for all cruise vessels. Each cruise ship will need some time to turn as it arrives at the berth. This usually occurs in the early morning hours and normally takes no more than 10 minutes.
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What will JAXPORT do next?
JAXPORT staff will continue to research these important questions and come up with a recommendation on the feasibility of a new cruise terminal and a recommended plan for moving forward. Issues on the table right now include siting, permitting, zoning and land use clarifications and the ability to obtain a concrete cruise industry commitment to Jacksonville as a home port. Ultimately, JAXPORT's Board of Directors will make the decision on how our organization will proceed.
As you can see, there are many subjects to consider when choosing a new location for JAXPORT's Cruise Terminal. We pledge to keep you informed and will look for ways to allow you to express concerns and desires. We appreciate your patience and invite you to contact JAXPORT's Director of Communications Nancy Rubin at (904) 357-3012 or nancy.rubin@jaxport.com if you need further assistance. We will also continue to post updates on this area of our website.
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