Terminal Operations: JAXPORT

New Container Cranes Set Sail for JAXPORT

Three newly manufactured 100-gauge cranes departed Shanghai June 6 aboard the heavy lift vessel Zhen Hua 14 en route to the Port of Jacksonville for delivery sometime in August.

The electrically-powered cranes, which will go into service at JAXPORT’s Blount Island Marine Terminal, will be able to service 22-wide container ships (compared to the 16 container reach of the terminal’s current 50-gauge cranes) and loads of up to 65 long tons. On-board electronics and computer systems will monitor and track individual container movements. The $36 million cost was financed in part by a $15 million grant from the Florida Department of Transportation.

Berth 35 at Blount Island is being upgraded to handle the new cranes. Berth construction is scheduled to be complete this fall. The cranes are expected to be operational by the end of the year.

JAXPORT’s long-term strategic plan calls for the purchase of 10 new 100-gauge cranes.

New container cranes on their way to Jacksonville
Photo/JAXPORT