The Jacksonville Port Authority (JAXPORT) recently welcomed the ZIM Integrated Shipping Services Ltd. (ZIM) 10,070-TEU (container) Tianjin vessel on its maiden call to the port’s Blount Island Marine Terminal.
Commenting the latest announcement, JAXPORT Chief Commercial Officer, Kristen DeMarco , said: “The arrival of ZIM is a result of the successful investment of local, federal and state dollars for the Jacksonville Harbor Deepening project and other port growth projects, plus our reputation for operational excellence.”
“This is a monumental occasion for JAXPORT and a milestone in the overall evolution of the port. Ocean carriers are not waiting for the deepening project to be complete, they are investing in Jacksonville now and Northeast Florida’s economy will benefit.”
The deepening of Jacksonville’s shipping channel to 47 feet to accommodate even more cargo aboard the largest ships calling the U.S. East Coast is well underway.
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers recently awarded the contract for the second phase of the project as contractors continue to make progress on phase one.