Facility Expansion: Jacksonville, Seattle/Tacoma

The Jacksonville Port Authority (JAXPORT) is set to begin construction of a new automobile processing terminal, the first phase of a multi-year project that will increase the port’s vehicle-handling capacity by 25 percent.

 

Once completed, the facility will add more than 100 acres of processing and storage space on JAXPORT’s Dames Point Marine Terminal and offer vessels direct waterside access for loading and unloading with major interstates less than one mile away plus the potential for rail capabilities.

 

The expansion follows a year of record vehicle volumes at JAXPORT. In 2017, the port moved 693,000 total units, the most in its history. The continued growth of the port’s three auto processors and the port’s location in the heart of a large and rapidly growing auto consumer market have led to increased demand for vehicle space at JAXPORT.

 

"The steady growth of our auto business speaks volumes about our efficiencies," said Roy Schleicher, JAXPORT Executive Vice President and Chief Commercial Officer. "We are committed to supporting our auto partners with the tools they require to continue to expand their businesses in Jacksonville."

 

JAXPORT ranks among America’s vehicle-handling ports by volume and is home to three auto processors: AMPORTS, Wallenius Wilhelmsen Logistics and Southeast Toyota Distributors.

 

 

The Northwest Seaports Alliance reports continued progress on construction to reconfigure the berth at Husky Terminal in the Tacoma Tideflat. The last of the 1,245 piles on Pier 4 was driven Wednesday afternoon, November 15.

 

The Pier 4 work is part of $250 million in terminal improvements that began in September 2016 on Tacoma’s General Central Peninsula. Upgrades include strengthening and realigning a berth and adding eight new super-post-Panamax cranes.  

 

Each crane will have an outreach of 24 containers and lift height of 165 feet/50.3 meters above the pier deck. The improvements will enable the facility to work two 18,000-TEU container ships simultaneously.

 

The reconstructed berth at the northwest end of the Blair Waterway will also include conduit for future shore power to allow ships to plug into electricity while at dock.

 

The Alliance expects construction to be completed and four cranes to be delivered in 2018.  The four remaining cranes will arrive in 2019.

 

Learn more about the project.

 

Pier 4 construction in Tacoma
Photo/Northwest Seaport Alliance