Harbor Deepening
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The Jacksonville Harbor Deepening Project is anticipated to be complete before the end of 2022, three years ahead of its original schedule.
JAXPORT’s single biggest growth initiative is the federal project to deepen the Jacksonville shipping channel from its current depth of 40 feet (12.2 meters) to a depth of 47 feet (14.3 meters). The $484 million project is now fully funded through JAXPORT’s Blount Island Marine Terminal and is more than halfway complete.
A deeper harbor is essential to meet the needs of larger cargo ships transiting the Suez and Panama canals as those vessels deliver cargo to JAXPORT terminals. A 47-foot depth for the federal channel will position JAXPORT as the first U.S. East Coast port of call for fully loaded New Panamax class vessels.
Berth enhancements to prepare Blount Island for deeper water are underway.
Table of Contents
OVERVIEW
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) conducted a comprehensive, years-long economic, engineering, and environmental study of the project, which began construction in Feb. 2018. The project is three years ahead of its original schedule with deepening through Blount Island anticipated to be complete before the end of 2022.
The Jacksonville Harbor Deepening project is divided into four segments, contracts A-D, which make up the full length of the 13-mile federally authorized project. The current funding model covers the project’s first 11 miles (contracts A, B and C).
Contract A: First 3 miles – Complete
Contract B: 5 miles – Complete
Contract C: Final 3 miles through Blount Island – under construction
Contract D: Authorized and under review
The deepening project includes expansion of JAXPORT’s current turning basin adjacent to the Blount Island Marine Terminal that will allow larger vessels to turn at Blount Island berths. On track to be completed by the end of 2021, the turning basin will be slightly larger than the existing turning basin at the port’s Dames Point Marine Terminal, which routinely turns vessels of 1,100 feet (335.3 meters) in length.
The Jacksonville deepening project is the first project of its kind in the United States to include funding from a private business. Funding sources include the federal government, the State of Florida, the City of Jacksonville, JAXPORT, and private partner SSA Atlantic.
HARBOR DEEPENING FACTS
- JAXPORT currently supports more than 138,000 jobs throughout the region and creates $31 billion in economic impact every year.
- JAXPORT has grown Asian container volumes nearly 100 percent since 2012.
- Local jobs associated with JAXPORT’s Asian business grew more than 57 percent in a five-year period.
- These jobs and this business depend on harbor deepening to accommodate more cargo aboard today’s bigger ships.
- More than 15,000 jobs are created or protected by this project.
- JAXPORT’s leadership is working diligently to keep this project on time, reducing the scope and ensuring that the returns far outweigh the costs.
- The best environmental modeling in the world, plus peer review by scores of independent scientists, advocates for the environmental safety of the full project design.
PROJECT FAQ
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and dredging contractor Dutra began construction of the Jacksonville Harbor Deepening Project in February 2018. The project is anticipated to be complete before the end of 2022 and will take the depth of the federal channel from its current depth of 40 feet to a depth of 47 feet.
Congress authorized a 13-mile deepening project, which JAXPORT has always supported. The U.S. Army Corps divided the project into four sections beginning near the mouth of the river. Currently, JAXPORT is focused on funding the first three segments to Blount Island in order to start receiving increased cargo aboard today’s larger ships as soon as possible.
The fully authorized Jacksonville Harbor Deepening Project includes the Dames Point Marine Terminal.
Yes, new turning basins will be added and there will be full 2-way traffic with further widening at strategic locations. The project consists of deepening the existing 40-foot channel to 47 feet; widening at Mile Point, the Training Wall Reach and St. Johns Bluff Reach plus construction of two new turning basins at Blount Island and Brills Cut.
The estimated cost of the initial three segments is $484 million. Final project cost will depend on contracts awarded for each of the segments. The Jacksonville Harbor Deepening Project is fully funded through federal, state, city, and JAXPORT investments, plus contributions from port tenant SSA Atlantic.
More information about the Harbor Deepening project is available on the USACE website.
Recent News
- Next phase of berth reconstruction at JAXPORT’s Blount Island terminal set to be complete by the end of 2020
- JAXPORT container volumes and revenue remain steady in 2020
- Federal government awards JAXPORT additional $93 million for harbor deepening
- Federal and elected officials, JAXPORT and SSA Marine break ground on $238.7 million container terminal
- Federal government awards JAXPORT $20 million for terminal improvements
- FDOT awards JAXPORT an additional $35.3 million in funding for harbor deepening
- JAXPORT sets record with largest container ship to call Jacksonville
- JAXPORT welcomes FDOT Secretary for waterside tour of port growth projects
- New study: Jacksonville’s seaport generates more than 26,000 area jobs
Resources
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Benefit/Cost Analysis for the Deepening Project of the St. Johns River – Nov. 2015
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Presentation: The Economic Impact of the Port of Jacksonville – Aug. 2014
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Executive Summary: The Economic Impact of the Port of Jacksonville – Aug. 2014
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Full Report: The Economic Impact of the Port of Jacksonville – Aug. 2014
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Peer Review of the Impact Modeling Regarding Dredging to 47 feet
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Presentation: The Decision to Pursue a 47 foot Channel Depth
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Assessment of Preferred Channel Depth for the St. Johns River
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Business and Market Analysis of the Jacksonville Port Authority
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The Local and Regional Economic Impacts of JAXPORT – April 2009