Jacksonville Port Authority (JAXPORT) is now the first Southeast U.S. port of call in the Premier Alliance’s revised East Coast 3 (EC3) container service, enhancing direct trade links with key Asian ports. Operated weekly by Ocean Network Express, HMM, and Yang Ming, the updated rotation offers faster transit from Asia to Jacksonville—cutting shipping times by up to five days.
The EC3 service connects Jacksonville to Laem Chabang (Thailand), Cai Mep (Vietnam), Singapore, and Colombo (Sri Lanka), before reaching the U.S. East Coast. The new port sequence now places Jacksonville ahead of Savannah, Charleston, and Norfolk, positioning it as a strategic entry point to the Southeast region.
Vessels on the EC3 service call at the SSA Jacksonville Container Terminal at Blount Island, which recently underwent major upgrades. The terminal now features a 47-foot-deep channel and has eliminated berth congestion.
“Being the first Southeast port of call means shippers benefit from faster transit times and efficient terminal operations,” said Robert Peek, JAXPORT Chief Commercial Officer. “This strengthens Jacksonville’s position as a key gateway to the growing Southeast market.”
A $72 million investment in the terminal’s modernization is nearing completion, including 97 acres of new paving to support higher container stacks and a new terminal gate system.
