JAXPORT Sets Cargo Records

Florida’s largest container port achieved record volumes in containers, vehicles and overall tonnage during the fiscal year ending September 30, 2019.

The Jacksonville Port Authority (JAXPORT) moved more than 1.338 million twenty-foot equivalent units (or TEUs, the industry standard for measuring containers), a 5 percent increase over 2018, which was also a record year in container volumes for the port. JAXPORT has set container volume records for four consecutive years.

The port also moved the most vehicles in its history, nearly 696,500 total units, maintaining its position as one of the nation’s busiest vehicle handling ports. Strong auto sales in the Southeast U.S., combined with growing global demand for previously owned vehicles, contributed to the growth.

The growth in general cargo volumes fueled yet another record for the port: 10.9 million tons of total cargo moved through JAXPORT last year, up 4 percent over 2018.

Major announcements in fiscal year 2019 included:

• The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) awarded JAXPORT an additional $35.3 million for the Jacksonville Harbor Deepening project. With continued funding, harbor deepening remains on track to be completed in 2023, two years ahead of schedule.
• Terminal operator SSA Atlantic is set to break ground on a state-of-the-art international container terminal at JAXPORT’s Blount Island terminal. Upon completion of the deepening project, the facility will offer a newly widened vessel turning basin and deepwater access of 47 feet.
• Port processor AMPORTS added 22.4 new acres of property for auto processing and storage space at JAXPORT’s Dames Point terminal, with plans to develop an additional 40-45 acres by 2023.

2019 was also a strong year for JAXPORT’s cruise business, with nearly 195,000 passengers setting sail, just shy of the previous year’s cruise passenger record of 199,000 passengers.

More highlights:

• Dry bulk cargoes (which include non-containerized commodities such as limestone and gravel) increased 19 percent over 2018, with nearly 880,000 tons shipped.
• Breakbulk cargoes, including wood pulp, increased 7 percent with 934,600 tons moved.
• Liquid bulk cargoes, including molasses and corn syrup, are up 4 percent with nearly 380,300 tons moved.

JAXPORT has recorded year-over-year cargo revenue growth for more than a decade.