Ports of the First Coast

Our Gateway to the World: Ports of the First Coast

JAXPORT, photo courtesy of JAXPORT

The First Coast’s prime location, with access to waterways, interstates and railroads galore, establishes the region as a major player in the logistics and distribution game. More than 70 million consumers are a mere day’s driving distance away and even international customers are receiving their goods faster than ever. With this, numerous logistics and distribution companies have decided to call the First Coast home, including AAGEX Freight Group, CEVA Logistics, Crowley Maritime Corporation, Landstar Shipping and Mediterranean Shipping Company.

PORTS JAXPORT

Known as the “global gateway to Florida,” Jacksonville Port Authority (JAXPORT) is comprised of three marine terminals, including Blount Island, Dames Point and Talleyrand. JAXPORT is the largest container port in Florida and one of the largest vehicle-handling ports in the U.S. Shippers can utilize the port to ship to 140 ports in 70 countries, the 100 trucking firms or the 40 daily trains. The port is also home to the Carnival Ecstasy while other cruisers depart from there. During the port’s first quarter of the new fiscal year, JAXPORT was able to increase their container volumes five percent, totaling approximately 353,400 20-foot equivalent units. More than 185,513 vehicles have moved through JAXPORT as of February 2021, making this the second busiest quarter in relation to vehicles in the port’s history. The port is also nearing the completion of multiple growth projects in 2021. The city is also working to deepen the shipping channel from the Atlantic Ocean to the Dames Pointe Marine Terminal from 40 feet to 47 feet by 2023. The Blount Island Marine Terminal is JAXPORT’s largest facility, as well as one of the largest vehicle import/ export centers in the nation. It is also home to one of the highest weightbearing capacity docks. Dames Point Marine has 5,002 linear feet of deep-water berths, as well as six new Panamax container cranes. Talleyrand Marine Terminal is run by the Jacksonville Port Terminal Railroad Inc. and mostly deals with breakbulk cargo, such as lumber, paper and steel, vehicles and liquid bulk commodities.

Port of Fernandina

The Port of Fernandina currently provides terminal service to over 14 pulp and paper producers throughout Florida and the Southeast, as well as steel export services to steel companies with mills in the Southeast region. The port is undergoing its first maintenance dredging in 21 years, which will allow more large ships to use the facility. The Port of Fernandina also recently purchased the tugboat Fort Clinch, which will also increase the amount of cargo coming in and out of the port.

LOGISTICS & DISTRIBUTION

Headquartered in Jacksonville, AAGEX Freight Group offers expedited transportation services throughout North America. The company works with transportation and logistic professionals to offer cost effective solutions for their customers. AAEGEX has set a $100 million gross revenue target and created new leadership positions, signaling their optimism for 2021. CEVA Logistics is the one of the world’s leading supply chain management companies and specializes in end-to-end customized solutions for customer’s supply chain needs. CEVA believes that innovation is necessary and works to improve the way they interact with customers in tandem with improving efficiency. The Jacksonville location was designed with this type of innovation in mind. Known for their speed and efficiency in shipping and distribution, Crowley Maritime Corporation has made a name for themselves on the First Coast. Crowley recently changed their terminal operating system to further speed up their truck turn around time. The company has two locations in the area and ships to several countries in the Caribbean and Central America, as well as Puerto Rico. Crowley is made up of four business units: Logistics, Shipping, Solutions and Fuels. Made up of independent agents and transportation capacity providers, Jacksonville’s Landstar Shipping prides themselves in maintaining a 99 percent claim-free delivery rate and their safety-first mindset. With independent agents, Landstar is able to provide their customers with local presence and global reach. Calling out of JAXPORT, Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC) is one of the leading forces in shipping and logistics. Their fleet is equipped with the latest green technologies and accesses 500 ports along 200 trade routes. MSC focuses on the evolution of the shipping industry and prides themselves on “delivering global service with local knowledge.”

Crowley Maritime Corp., photo by Stephanie Marty

“More than 185,513 vehicles have moved through JAXPORT as of February 2021, making this the second busiest quarter in relation to vehicles in the port’s history.”