by Staff
While Jacksonville has a reputation as a major automobile port, the amount of breakbulk cargo moving through the Jacksonville Port Authority has more than tripled since 1995, reaching 672,165 tons.
Breakbulk includes general cargo such as woodpulp, steel, frozen poultry and aluminum.
“Over the last few years, customers have learned that Jacksonville is one of the most efficient and cost-effective ports in the southeastern United States for handling breakbulk goods, and our growth in this area is reflective of this reputation,” said Rick Ferrin, Jaxport’s executive director.
Jaxports’s breakbulk efforts received a major boost in 1997 when the Brazilian company Aracruz Celulose S.A. began importing eucalyptus woodpulp into Jacksonville’s port annually. The move spurred an 88 percent increase in breakbulk tonnage in 1998.
The deal was made possible when the port partnered with Star Shipping, Stevedoring Services of America, Inc. and CSX Transportation to bring the business to town.
“Jacksonville realizes the importance of breakbulk cargoes and has been a key partner in growing this business,” said Ebb Youmans, vice president of SSA. “Additionally, Jaxport is a landlord port, which gives us the flexibility to tailor our operations to suit the customer’s needs.”
Ferrin agrees.
“We learned that partnerships are the key to attracting this business,” said Ferrin. “Outstanding port facilities are not enough. Partners are essential to providing a total transportation package which makes financial sense to the customer.”
After the Aracruz deal was announced several other companies started shipping through Jacksonville:
• An Asian paper suppliers imports rolled and copy paper from Indonesia.
• A wood supplier imports plywood from Malaysia.
• Frozen poultry exports from Jacksonville to Russia and Latvia doubled last year.
• A Brazilian steel manufacturer uses Jaxport for its steel shipments.
• A Canadian shipper imports peat moss and bottled water.
• Jaxport receives aluminum from Russia, Venezuela and the Far East.
With breakbulk growth at record highs, the port is planning for future increases by building its third facility, the 600-acre Dames Point Marine Terminal, which will include warehouse and open storage facilities.