JAXPORT’s Top 10 Moments of 2022
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Anchored by the increased capabilities created by a deeper harbor, 2022 was a year of milestones bolstering JAXPORT and Northeast Florida for long-term growth and success. From clean fuel advancements and sustainability initiatives to a series of transformational public-private partnerships and infrastructure improvements, Jacksonville’s transportation network is well-positioned for the future.
Here’s a look at JAXPORT’s top 10 moments of the past year.
No. 10
Cargo Decision-Makers Recognize JAXPORT’s Advantages
Logistics Management magazine readers voted JAXPORT the top port in the nation for value and the top port on the East Coast for overall customer satisfaction. Subscribers to the magazine represent some of the top cargo decision-makers in the transportation and logistics industry: bit.ly/3hhUFpp
No. 9
Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) Milestones
In 2022, JAXPORT accommodated some of the world’s most eco-friendly ships.
Eagle LNG fueled the 7,500-car carrier SIEM Aristotle from its LNG bunkering facility at JAXPORT’s Talleyrand terminal, marking the first time SIEM refueled the vessel from a landside bunkering facility: bit.ly/3Iykl9X
JAX LNG completed its inaugural bunkering using North America’s largest bunker barge, Clean Canaveral, and conducted its first ship-to-ship LNG bunkering of the NYK LINE vehicle carrier Sakura Leader: bit.ly/3FhOefL
No. 8
ZIM Vessels Become First Ships to Use New Turning Basin
The container ships ZIM Newark and ZIM Rotterdam became the first ships to use JAXPORT’s new turning basin. Completed as part of the Harbor Deepening project, the turning basin allows larger ships to turn around at Blount Island berths, increasing efficiencies.
Watch this video to see how two-way vessel traffic and open berthing windows seven days a week allow ships to remain on schedule at JAXPORT, lowering costs for carriers and shippers: bit.ly/3FNtNHy
No. 7
Cruise Returns to Jacksonville!
Carnival Cruise Line enjoyed a successful cruise restart after resuming service from Jacksonville in March. More than 120,500 passengers have set sail from JAXPORT in 2022. JAXPORT’s homeported cruise ship, Carnival Elation, has sailed at more than 100% occupancy (two passengers per cabin) throughout the year. Elation offers four- and five-day service to The Bahamas: bit.ly/3vKWsbk
No. 6
Breakbulk Volumes Increase by 30%
JAXPORT is a national leader in the movement of breakbulk (cargo shipped outside of a container). Volumes were up 30% in 2022 as shippers looked for alternative ways to move freight amid global supply chain disruption.
For example, the expertise of our partners helped expedite the movement of 4,500 tons of frozen poultry in a single shipment at the port’s Talleyrand terminal: bit.ly/3W3MsnO
No. 5
New Ocean Carrier Services
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis visited JAXPORT to announce global ocean carrier SeaLead shipping added JAXPORT as a port of call on its first US East Coast container service.
Also, JAXPORT added new container services through Ellerman City Liners and MSC. Together, these new services expand our connections to major trade lanes, including Europe, Asia and transshipment hubs in the Dominican Republic and The Bahamas.
Learn more about JAXPORT’s global connections.
No. 4
Berth Improvements Complete
JAXPORT completed the final phase of $100 million in berth enhancements at the SSA Jacksonville Container Terminal (JCT) on Blount Island, increasing the terminal’s cargo-handling capabilities while increasing energy efficiency.
The SSA JCT now features 2,400 linear feet of newly rebuilt deepwater berthing space capable of simultaneously accommodating two post-Panamax container ships: bit.ly/3uJMiWO
No. 3
Strengthening Commitment to Puerto Rico
The three Jacksonville-based ocean carriers serving Puerto Rico achieved milestones this year:
- Crowley, along with JAXPORT and port partner SSA, received a $23.5 million grant for sustainability initiatives. The total $47 million public-private partnership will expand energy-efficient terminal infrastructure, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and provide a plan to transition to lower-emission operations: bit.ly/3Fot91y
- Trailer Bridge signed a long-term, $62 million agreement to remain at Blount Island through at least 2041, mirroring the company’s lease with the Puerto Rico Ports Authority: bit.ly/3FjfJ77
- Tote’s First Coast Terminals celebrated its one-year anniversary of providing stevedoring and cargo operations in support of TOTE Maritime Puerto Rico’s vessels at Blount Island: bit.ly/3yU5Wky
No. 2
Public-Private Partnerships
JAXPORT also reached new long-term agreements with terminal operators Ceres Terminals and Southeast Toyota Distributors (SET).
Through a $210 million lease and relocation agreement, SET will relocate and consolidate two separate Jacksonville operations into a single facility at Blount Island. The relocation creates operational efficiencies and additional space for SET to accommodate more vehicles: bit.ly/3wrTHKJ
Ceres Terminals’ 20-year, $60 million agreement includes a $45 million lease for the 158-acre container terminal at Dames Point. Ceres will also make $15 million in terminal upgrades, including investments in cargo handling equipment and systems: bit.ly/3Lp0s6x
No. 1
Harbor Deepening Through Blount Island Complete
Federal, state and local leaders celebrated the completion of the Jacksonville Harbor Deepening Project – which deepened 11 miles of the shipping channel from the sea buoy to Blount Island – to a depth of 47 feet from its previous depth of 40 feet.
The 47-foot harbor provides the channel depth needed for larger ships to call Blount Island to and from destinations worldwide and allows existing ships calling Jacksonville to carry more cargo on board. The project also included a new turning basin enabling larger vessels to turn around at Blount Island berths: bit.ly/3VWeLoh
The Commercial Real Estate Women’s (CREW) Jacksonville chapter recognized the Jacksonville Harbor Deepening Project’s positive impact on the area’s commercial/industrial real estate community by awarding JAXPORT the Impact EDGE Award.
Following the deepening, JAXPORT has expanded its connections and capacity in the Asian trade lane. The port welcomed some of the largest vessels ever to call the port, including two 11,923-TEU vessels from global ocean carrier ZIM, the largest container ships ever to be included in a regular port rotation at JAXPORT.