Florida legislators have awarded JAXPORT with a $23 million check for crane enhancements.
The funds will reportedly be used to acquire a new container crane for the port’s Talleyrand Marine Terminal from the Liebherr Crane Company in Germany, as well as to upgrade current cranes at the port’s terminals.
The funds were authorised by the Florida Legislature during the last legislative session and approved by Governor Ron DeSantis.
The crane extension and modifications will improve JAXPORT’s cargo handling efficiency, allowing more goods to pass through the port.
Increasing cargo volumes helps JAXPORT create jobs and provide supply chain security for the area and state.
READ: JAXPORT highlights growth initiatives
Florida House Speaker, Paul Renner, said: “I am proud to present JAXPORT with another substantial investment to update and modernise its system of container cranes.
“As the largest container port in the state, continued investments in container cranes are important to keep Florida’s ports competitive as a global gateway. This $23 million will secure a new container crane and make critical updates to existing ones.”
Senate President, Kathleen Passidomo, stated: “Improving the container capacity and other capabilities of JAXPORT supports Florida’s overall economy, as Jacksonville is in a strategic location to facilitate commerce opportunities throughout Florida, the Southeast, and the Eastern seaboard.
“This funding, advocated for in the Senate by Senator Yarborough, will certainly be money well spent with results felt in the local economy and throughout Florida.”
READ: JAXPORT expands operations at Talleyrand Marine Terminal
Over the previous two years, the Florida legislature has given JAXPORT a total of $53 million to fund its multi-year program to repair and maintain its crane fleet.
Two cranes are presently on order and are scheduled to arrive at JAXPORT in April 2025.
With this new investment, JAXPORT is acquiring a third crane, which is scheduled to arrive in Jacksonville in the autumn of 2025.
JAXPORT CEO Eric Green, expressed: “As our state’s population continues to grow, modernizing our crane fleet allows us to maintain efficiencies while building on our ability to grow cargo volumes and related jobs.”
