2021 was a big year for JAXPORT, CEO says 2022 is going to be even better

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — During the pandemic, we’ve come to learn just how important JAXPORT is to our daily lives – by easing the impact other areas experienced due to the supply chain.

Action News Jax Courtney Cole went to the 2022 State of the Port this afternoon to learn about the impact the port has had on Northeast Florida and how they plan to explore new opportunities to improve.

STORY: Jax Beach neighborhood draped in blue and yellow for Ukraine

It’s no secret: against all odds JAXPORT has seen quite a bit of success during the pandemic — most recently, the return of the Carnival Cruise line on Monday.

Today, Eric Green, JAXPORT’s CEO, laid out the vision that explains how they plan for you to expect more good news at JAXPORT over 2022.

“As you may have noticed, we’ve been very busy,” Green told a full-house at the Adam H. Herbert University Center, on the campus of the University of North Florida.

Between cars, cargo, and the cruise business, JAXPORT has kept the supply chain moving, people employed and your store shelves stocked!

Green reminded the crowd of Governor Ron DeSantis’ visit last fall, when he announced Florida’s ports were open for business. The Chief Executive Officer said the message is still resonating with the industry.

“Last week, the JAXPORT team spent time in California, meeting with cargo decision-makers, and I can tell you that all eyes continue to be on Florida ports. I am confident we will have more big news in the weeks to come,” Green said.

During the 2022 State of the Port, Green shared these numbers to help better explain the success at JAXPORT:

More than 1.4 million containers were moved through the port, but with room to spare as they welcomed shipping lines looking to avoid congestion during the pandemic.

If you bought a new car last year—it probably came through JAXPORT. Green says more than 600,000 vehicles moved through the port last year. That’s up 13% from 2020.

STORY: Former JEA executives due in court today

“We see a lot of growth. We are frankly out of space right now, at the Jacksonville Talleyrand location and we’re looking to expand,” said Casey Gunnell, Jr. of Southeast Toyota.

And in addition to the return of Carnival, a new cruise ship, from American Queen Voyages, is now calling JAXPORT home.

“Further growing Jacksonville’s reputation as a premiere tourism destination,” Green said.

Green said their team is energized about the opportunities ahead.

Another big project we’ve been following at JAXPORT: harbor deepening at Blount Island. It’s the port’s single biggest growth project; it will allow even larger cargo ships to come into our area. It is now set to be completed ahead of schedule as soon as May 2022.

In coordination with the deepening, Green said they will also complete $100M in berth improvements at Blount Island this summer.

©2022 Cox Media Group