Jacksonville port boosts heavy cargo capabilities

The Port of Jacksonville recently completed an 18-month, $12.4 million reconstruction project at its heavy lift cargo berth at the Blount Island Marine Terminal.

The facility now ranks as one of the nation's highest weight-bearing-capacity docks, Jacksonville Port Authority officials said in a press release. The project more than doubled the berth's pounds-per-square-foot capability to 1,000 and increased its pounds-per-axle rating to 78.

"We will be exporting power equipment, locomotives and other American-made products from our newly rebuilt berth," said Roy Schleicher, the port's executive vice president and chief commercial officer. "With [our] premiere location, excellent rail service, skilled labor force and enhanced facilities, we look forward to taking on more heavy lift opportunities and further building our already substantial reputation in the project cargo arena."

The northern Florida port offers "the best intermodal connections in the South Atlantic," port officials said. Thirty-six trains serve the port daily, operated by CSX Transportation, Norfolk Southern Railway and Florida East Coast Railway. In addition, more than 100 trucking and drayage firms operate in and around the port via the city's highway system, which is anchored by Interstates 95, 75 and 10.