Faster Asia-to-US Trade: EC3 at JAXPORT sets new standard
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Global shipping routes are evolving rapidly in 2025, and Jacksonville is at the forefront of this transformation.
The Premier Alliance’s East Coast 3 (EC3) container service has designated JAXPORT as the first Southeast U.S. port of call, creating opportunities for shippers seeking faster, more efficient Asia-to-US trade routes.
This strategic shift offers tangible benefits for businesses ready to optimize their supply chains flowing through the Southeast U.S.
Why This Matters to Your Business
The EC3 service addresses three critical challenges facing today’s shippers:
- Speed: Direct connections to key Asian ports feature reduced transit times
- Reliability: Weekly service results in predictable scheduling and minimal disruptions
- Capacity: JAXPORT’s modern infrastructure can handle growing trade volumes
With the Southeast U.S. container market expected to grow long-term, companies that were among the first to use the EC3 route are positioning themselves to capitalize on this growth while avoiding the congestion plaguing other major ports.
Direct Asian Connections: Unlocking New Trade Possibilities
Video: Illustrative view of the EC3, where JAXPORT is now the first Southeast U.S. port in the rotation
The EC3 service creates a maritime highway connecting Jacksonville directly to four strategic Asian ports, each serving as a gateway to broader regional markets:
- Laem Chabang, Thailand: A key Southeast Asia manufacturing hub
- Cai Mep, Vietnam: A port supported by rapidly increasing production
- Singapore: Premier transshipment hub for Southeast Asia
- Colombo, Sri Lanka: Gateway to South Asian markets including nearby India
Competitive Advantage Through Sequencing
JAXPORT’s designation as the first Southeast port of call in the EC3 rotation provides a critical advantage, resulting in:
- Faster cargo discharge with reduced dwell times
- Earlier market access for time-sensitive shipments
- Improved schedule reliability with fewer weather and congestion delays
- Enhanced intermodal connections to inland markets
This sequencing advantage translates to real-world gains.
Companies utilizing the new routing can benefit from a transit time reduction of up to five days compared to the former route —a significant competitive edge for inventory management and ecommerce operations.
Infrastructure Investment: Building for the Future
JAXPORT’s commitment to modernization extends far beyond securing new service routes. The port’s $72 million SSA Jacksonville Container Terminal modernization project represents a strategic investment in handling capacity and operational efficiency. The infrastructure improvements create a multiplier effect for shippers.
The timing of these improvements aligns perfectly with market demands – JAXPORT’s expanded capacity helps shippers avoid the bottlenecks affecting other major ports.
Operational Excellence: Speed and Reliability Combined
The EC3 service’s value proposition at JAXPORT centers on two fundamental shipping requirements: speed and reliability. JAXPORT’s operations address both through systematic improvements across the logistics chain.
The direct routing eliminates the need for additional feeder services or circuitous routes common with other East Coast options. This streamlined approach offers:
- Predictable scheduling with weekly departures from each Asian port
- Reduced handling through direct vessel calls
- Faster inland connections via JAXPORT’s strategic interstate access to I-95, I-10 and I-75
- Minimized congestion through first-port-of-call sequencing
“Jacksonville’s position as the first Southeast port of call means shippers benefit from faster transit times and the efficiency of our modernized terminals,” said JAXPORT Chief Commercial Officer Robert Peek in the service announcement. “This service provides speed and reliability for our customers and strengthens Jacksonville’s role as a gateway to the growing Southeast U.S. market.”
Schedule Integrity
Reliability has become increasingly important as supply chain disruptions continue to impact global trade. The EC3 service maintains schedule integrity through:
- An alliance partnership ensuring consistent vessel deployments
- Modern terminal facilities reducing operational delays
- Strategic capacity management
Premier Alliance carriers, anchored by operator Ocean Network Express (ONE) on the EC3, complement the success of ONE’s West India North America (WIN) service calling South Asia and JAXPORT. The WIN service connects JAXPORT to key ports in India (Hazira, Nhava Sheva, Mundra) and Pakistan (Bin Qasim), offering a key service which enhances planning reliability and supply chain efficiency for Asia-U.S. trade.
Market Positioning: Capitalizing on Trade Pattern Shifts
The EC3 service launches at a pivotal moment in the global trade evolution. Traditional shipping patterns are shifting as businesses seek alternatives to congested ports and look for competitive advantages in their supply chains.
Simultaneously, the Southeast U.S. represents one of America’s fastest-growing consumer markets, driven by population growth in major metropolitan areas and manufacturing expansion across multiple industries. This has spurred distribution center development in the region, along with infrastructure investment supporting economic growth.
By 2030, Florida is projected to gain more residents than any other Southeastern state—an indicator of the region’s long-term growth and a key reason shippers are increasingly turning to JAXPORT to serve their evolving supply chains.
Charting a Course with JAXPORT
Shippers utilizing the EC3 service gain several strategic advantages. Businesses can reach Southeast U.S. consumers ahead of competitors who are using traditional routing. This proactive approach enhances supply chain flexibility, as diversifying routing options helps reduce risk concentration and safeguards against potential disruptions.
The combination of strategic port sequencing, modern infrastructure investment, and growing Southeast market demand creates a compelling value proposition for forward-thinking shippers. With container volumes continuing to grow long-term, and many ports facing capacity constraints, the EC3 service at JAXPORT offers both immediate benefits and long-term strategic advantage.
