JAXPORT cargo facility to make Jacksonville competitive in global trade, officials say

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — The Jacksonville Port Authority unveiled Monday a new facility it is calling a game changer for the River City’s global trade competitiveness.

The first rail cargo operations are getting underway at the Intermodal Container Transfer Facility (ICTF). The $30 million facility was funded through state and federal grants.

Full-time commercial usage there will begin at the end of the summer.

The U.S. Army will be moving 760 pieces of machinery for the next 11 days onto a Navy Ship that is on its way to Fort Polk in Louisiana.

JAXPORT representatives said ICTF will help the Army move ocean-based military cargo much more efficiently. It uses the CSX rail lines to move the cargo directly between ships and trains with no wasted steps.

Port officials said it will extend the port’s reach well beyond Jacksonville, making it more competitive with global trade.

JAXPORT is one of 17 U.S. strategic seaports on-call to move military cargo for national defense, foreign humanitarian assistance and disaster relief.

“Right now our debt is probably one of the biggest threats to our national security,” said Rep. Ted Yoho. “And the best way to get out of that is to grow yourself out of that problem.  This is economic growth.”

The facility brings 300 new soldiers and their families to Jacksonville.

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