The Jacksonville Port Authority (JAXPORT) has set a new container volume record, while it maintained congestion-free operations on both the landside and waterside, during the Fiscal Year 2021, which ended on 30 September.
More than 1.4 million TEU moved through the port in Florida during FY 2021, which translates to an increase of 10% from the same period of the previous year and a 5% rise from 2019, which was a record year for container volumes at the port.
In addition, JAXPORT stated that throughout the pandemic, it has had no vessels waiting at anchorage to enter the Jacksonville harbour. There is an available berth and terminal capacity to easily accommodate vessels displaced by congestion at other US ports.
“Achieving a container record and strong vehicle volumes while maintaining our efficiencies, all in the middle of a pandemic, speaks to the resiliency and capability of Jacksonville’s maritime community,” said JAXPORT CEO, Eric Green.
“Our port workers, terminal operators and service providers have shown the world that JAXPORT is a solution to the nation’s port congestion problem,” he pointed out.
Additionally, JAXPORT is planning a federal project to deepen the Jacksonville shipping channel to 14.3 meters from its current depth of 12.2 meters, which will be completed through Blount Island in June 2022. More than US$200 million in berth enhancements are underway to enable Blount Island to simultaneously accommodate two post-Panamax vessels and handle more containers.
“The support of our elected officials over the years, and particularly throughout the pandemic, has positioned us to grow our port in a manageable way and provide capacity and capability to serve the growing needs of the industry during this time,” commented CEO Green.
