The Jacksonville Port Authority (JAXPORT) has approved a long-term agreement with SSA Marine for the development and operation of the US$238 million SSA Jacksonville International Gateway Terminal, a new mega-ship ready container terminal.
According to a statement, the new terminal will help the port handle the world’s largest vessels and make the state of Florida a vital hub in US-Asia shipping.
The agreement to operate the new terminal will initially last 25 years with two five-year renewal options and will also include a number of improvements to JAXPORT’s Blount Island Marine Terminal.
JAXPORT inks deal with global terminal operator SSA Marine for the build out of the port's Blount Island terminal w/ a $238.7M investment in infrastructure & cranes that will allow the terminal to accommodate 2 post-Panamax vessels at once: https://t.co/q78qRWYyk5 pic.twitter.com/HLqoBIcohJ
— JAXPORT (@JAXPORT) March 4, 2019
The new terminal will offer deepwater berthing space at and be part of a broader Jacksonville Harbour Deepening project, which is due to be completed by 2023.
SSA Marine, the world’s largest independent and privately held marine terminal operator, is contributing $28 million towards the deepening project and will get exclusive use of JAXPORT’s three 100-gauge cranes.
A recent Port Technology technical paper looked at port-centric logistics and collaboration
The operator will also pay $129.7 million for the use of the new terminal and the facility upgrades, such as berth regeneration which will help JAXPORT accommodate two post-Panamax vessels.
Speaking about the announcement, JAXPORT CEO Eric Green said: “We are thrilled to partner with a major international terminal operator that is as dedicated as we are to contributing to the economic vitality of Northeast Florida.
“The significant investments SSA Marine has committed to this facility, accompanied by their unparalleled industry knowledge and experience, allows us to take full advantage of all of the opportunities the Jacksonville Harbor Deepening project creates for our port and our region.”
SSA Conventional President Mark Knudsen also commented: “SSA Marine has a longstanding commitment to Jacksonville and we are proud to invest in this community in such a meaningful way.
“The port’s strong leadership team and strategic location in the growing southeast U.S. market—combined with the efficiencies created by a deeper harbor— give us the tools we need to operate a world-class container terminal and further position Jacksonville as a gateway for global trade.”
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