JAXPORT’s biggest growth initiative set to be complete next month. Here’s what that means

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — It’s been years in the making — and now we’re just weeks away from JAXPORT’s biggest growth initiative being completed: deepening the shipping channel.

It was previously 40 feet deep, but when the project is completed in May, it will be 47 feet deep.

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Action News Jax Courtney Cole gives us a closer look at the progress of this project and introduces us to a longtime employee who explains what the deepening projects means for the area.

“It really gives me goose bumps! I get the goose bumps just to see the bigger ships come in!” Lamar Avery said with excitement in his voice and his eyes.

Bigger ships is exactly what JAXPORT has been preparing for since February 2018.

By increasing the depth of the harbor to 47 feet, JAXPORT will be able take in larger ships with more cargo from destinations around the world.

“It’s fantastic seeing the growth!” Avery exclaimed.

Avery, also known as “Superman” by his co-workers, is a longtime crane operator at JAXPORT.

“I got into running cranes, operating cranes at 18-years-old,” Avery said. “It’s always fascinating to see the older guys operating the cranes.”

He told Cole he got certified in 2008.

Avery said the amount of cargo ships were bringing in back then is nothing compared to what they’re bringing in now.

“Back then the ships was like 11 boxes across, five boxes down below. But to see the ships come in now, 19 across and nine boxes down!” Avery described.

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The deepening project makes him hopeful for the future.

“The bigger ships coming — it brings in revenue, brings in the clothing we wear, brings in the purses, brings in the tennis shoes. So, it brings in more jobs for younger people to be able to work here in Jacksonville. Instead of wanting to go out of town, come to Jacksonville!” Avery insisted.

In addition to deepening, more enhancements are also on track to be finished this summer to accommodate two Post-Panamax ships. To give you an idea just how large those types of vessels typically are, according to the American Association of Port Authorities, a Post-Panamax ship is typically 1,200 feet long, has a beam of 160 feet (the width of the boat measured at its widest point) and can carry 12,000 20-foot units.

“To see two of them side by side — and be able to see the big cranes that run across these and move the freight, it will be fantastic!” Avery told Cole.

Daniel Teague told Action News Jax he believes this project makes them ready for the supply chain in its entirety.

Teague is the President of ILA Local 1593, one of the local longshoremen unions.

“With the overflow from the big port, Savannah, (and) Charleston — Jacksonville is naturally the biggest port in the state for Florida,” Teague said.

Teague said the pandemic is nothing they could have ever prepared for, but this puts them in position for whatever comes their way.

“As everyone sleeps at nighttime, there will be ships working and we’re keeping the shelves stocked,” Teague said proudly.

JAXPORT is officially on the map — and it’s safe to say everyone that works here is excited for the future.

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JAXPORT prepares for bigger ships

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