The Jacksonville Port Authority (JAXPORT) has completed the final phase of US$100m in berth enhancements at the SSA Jacksonville Container Terminal (JCT) at Blount Island.
Completed at the end of June in coordination with the recently completed Jacksonville Harbour deepening project, the last stage of the project consisted of the rehabilitation of 700 linear ft of deep water berthing space.
“This project significantly enhances our deep water berthing capabilities at Blount Island, maximising the efficiencies created by the deepening project.
Eric Green, JAXPORT CEO, said: “We are grateful for the continued support from the State of Florida as we work to build the port of the future and bring more cargo – and the jobs and economic impact it supports – to Jacksonville.”
The SSA JCT now features a 47 ft channel depth with 2,400 linear feet of newly rebuilt berthing space capable of simultaneously accommodating two post-Panamax container ships.
The multi-faceted berth rehabilitation project began in 2016 with the installation of a high-voltage electrical system equipped to power up to 10 state-of-the-art environmentally friendly container cranes.
This included three already in use and an additional three currently on order by SSA Atlantic and subsequently, the berths were reconstructed in four phases.
Together the berth improvements and eco-friendly cranes increase energy efficiencies, reduce emissions from diesel-powered cranes and enhance night-time operations through the addition of high-powered LED lighting.
The project was funded 75% by the Florida Department of Transportation, with a 25% match from JAXPORT.
In addition to the reconstructed berths and new cranes, more than US$72m in phased yard improvements are underway to enable the SSA JCT to accommodate 500,000 teu annually.
The federal project to deepen the Jacksonville shipping channel to a depth of 47 ft was completed through Blount Island in May 2022.
It included the construction of a new vessel turning basin that now allows larger vessels calling the SSA JCT to turn around at Blount Island.
JAXPORT is Florida’s largest container port and one of the nation’s top vehicle-handling ports.
Through the new 47 ft deep water shipping channel it is able to offer two-way river traffic and no berth congestion.
