After Portus Services LLC filed a notice last week saying it lost a contract at Blount Island, affecting 138 employees, the new vendor said May 7 it will employ those workers as it takes over the contract.
First Coast Terminals LLC, a subsidiary of Jacksonville-based TOTE LLC, is assuming the contract to provide services beginning July 1.
“First Coast Terminals will continue the stevedoring operations in support of TOTE Maritime Puerto Rico’s vessels at the JaxPort Blount Island Terminal and employ all of the same workers represented by the Seafarers International Union,” First Coast Terminals said in an emailed statement.
Portus said in an April 28 letter filed under the Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act that it expected the new vendor to employ most of the workers after its contract expired June 30, but it gave no details.
Portus, a division of Jacksonville-based Patriot Rail & Ports, has been providing services at Blount Island since 1992, according to the Patriot website.