Canadian port doubled first-half container volume; Florida port set to find container facility operator

Through 2013's first half, container tonnage at Port Saint John doubled to 258,055 compared with the same 2012 period. In terms of 20-foot equivalent units (TEUs), volume jumped 72 percent year over year to 38,762.

In May 2012, Mediterranean Shipping Co. — the world's second-largest shipping line — began calling on the New Brunswick, Canada, port, according to a press release. The company offers weekly container service to more than 350 ports worldwide.

"The fact that New Brunswick and regional container shippers and receivers can access the world through Port Saint John is a great catalyst for further economic growth. We look forward to strong performance for the remainder of this year, as well," said Andrew Dixon, the port's senior vice president of planning and development.

Eastern Canada's largest port, Port Saint John is served by the New Brunswick Southern Railway, which interchanges with CN in Saint John.

Meanwhile, the Jacksonville Port Authority (JPA) plans to hold an informational forum July 25 in Jacksonville, Fla., to review business opportunities regarding the management, maintenance and operation of a new Intermodal Container Transfer Facility (ICTF) at Dames Point Terminal.

The JPA is developing an ICTF to facilitate the direct transfer of containers between vessels and CSX Transportation trains. Slated to open in a few years, the facility will complement existing on-dock-rail access at the Talleyrand and Blount Island terminals, and further enhance the competitiveness of the TraPac Container Terminal, JPA officials said in a meeting announcement.

The ICTF will provide existing and future customers with intermodal connections, including direct access to CSX-owned lines and four interstates: I-95, I-10, I-295 and I-75 via I-10, they said.