The Jacksonville Port Authority (JAXPORT) Board of Directors approved a long-term agreement with terminal operator SSA Marine for the development and operation of a $238.7 million international container terminal at JAXPORT’s Blount Island Marine Terminal.
Specifically, the SSA Jacksonville International Gateway Terminal is an expansion of SSA Marine’s current leasehold at Blount Island and will offer deepwater berthing space to accommodate the larger container ships calling JAXPORT from Asia more fully loaded.
[smlsubform prepend=”GET THE SAFETY4SEA IN YOUR INBOX!” showname=false emailtxt=”” emailholder=”Enter your email address” showsubmit=true submittxt=”Submit” jsthanks=false thankyou=”Thank you for subscribing to our mailing list”]
According to the port, the SSA Marine is to expand to about 80 acres. It also has the option to expand to 120 acres the minute more space becomes available.
The facility will, also, offer a vessel turning basin and deepwater access of 47 feet upon completion of the Jacksonville Harbor Deepening project, which is ahead of schedule; Therefore it is expected to be complete in 2023 based on continued funding from all partners.
SSA Marine contributes by $28 million for exclusive use of JAXPORT’s three 100-gauge cranes, with those funds going for the deepening project.
Moreover, the agreement will last for 25 years, coming with a two-year renewal possibility.
In addition, the deal includes improvements to the Blount Island Terminal. SSA Marine will contribute up to $129.7 million for the use of the terminal and facility upgrades, including the addition of three new 100-gauge container cranes.
Finally, JAXPORT will provide additional $109 million in berth rehabilitation and upgrades that are already underway. By these enhancements, the port will be able to host two post-Panamax vessels.
