News

The Jacksonville Port Authority (JAXPORT) is continuing to make moves for the future and modern era of shipping that will generate more logistics industry growth for the Jacksonville region.

Last week, JAXPORT’s board voted to accept the terms of a $27.5 million grant and loan package from the city of Jacksonville to raise six high-voltage electric transmission lines. The port’s board voted favorably in December to accept $1 million in funding over the $22.55 million already encumbered from the Florida Department of Transportation for the project.

The project will raise the JEA-owned utility lines over the St. Johns River from 175 feet to 205 feet allowing Post-Panamax ships who need a minimum of 197 feet clearance to safely navigate under the power lines. In doing so, JAXPORT and its customers will be able to benefit from last year’s harbor-deepening project completion which dredged 11 miles of the shipping channel to Blount Island Marine Terminal to 47 feet. According to JAXPORT, the harbor deepening and raising of the power lines creates or protects 15,000 jobs supported by the growth of Asian trade in Jacksonville.

The project is set for completion by 2026.

JAXPORT’s infrastructure improvements are securing its future as a leader in logistics and innovation throughout the past few years. Most recently, JAXPORT began offering a direct container service to/from three destinations in Europe in partnership with U.K.-based Ellerman City Liners in November 2022 as one of its 140 direct ocean service connections in 70 different countries.

The infrastructure investments and addition of new service routes help JAXPORT propel its reputation as a vital logistics and transportation center for the United States and the world.