JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Friday’s groundbreaking for Jaxport’s new international container terminal means more work for union President Vincent Cameron and his crews.
“We welcome it. This is what we do," he said.
Action News Jax reported in March when the Jacksonville Port Authority Board signed the deal with SSA Marine.
TRENDING STORIES:
Truck crashes on Jacksonville's Northside; Neighbor says driver took off
Impeachment inquiry: Fiona Hill, David Holmes testify; live updates, livestream
The $238.7 million project on Blount Island will bring larger container ships from Asian and Pacific lines to the local port.
Maritime administrator Adm. Mark Buzby said the expansion and update is necessary to keep the port competitive.
The plan goes hand in hand with a channel deepening that’s two years ahead of schedule.
“All the other ports are deepening their channels and improving their facilities," Buzby said. "It’s something you need to do to stay in the game."
STAY UPDATED: Download the Action News Jax app for live updates on breaking stories
The new terminal is expected to create or protect 3,500 jobs in the first 10 years of the contract.
It’s expected to bring in $158 million in revenue over 25 years.
“We might be the first stop on the cargo train, but we ain’t the last," Cameron said.
He claimed the additional jobs at the port and across town are worth the extra work.
“When we offload that cargo ship and it goes to warehouses and the storefronts and those folks are working, too, so it just don’t stop with us,” Cameron said.
Cox Media Group
