Florida Legislators have presented the Jacksonville Port Authority (JAXPORT) with a $30 million check during the port’s monthly Board of Directors meeting to purchase two new container cranes for the port’s Blount Island Marine Terminal.
The funds were allocated by the Florida Legislature during the current legislative session, led by House Speaker Paul Renner and Senate President Kathleen Passidomo, with the backing of the Duval Legislative Delegation.
State Representatives Jessica Baker, Dean Black, Kimberly Daniels, Wyman Duggan, Kiyan Michael, and Angie Nixon are members of the Duval Delegation, as are State Senators Tracie Davis and Clay Yarborough.
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The new cranes will improve cargo handling efficiencies at JAXPORT, allowing more goods to pass through the port.
As cargo-handling infrastructure expands, it ensures JAXPORT can continue to meet the growing cargo volume needs of Florida businesses and consumers and build on our position as a global gateway in the Southeast US.
Florida House Speaker Paul Renner, said: “Our ports must be well-equipped to meet the growing demands of our region, ensuring that supplies make it into the hands of consumers.
“This year’s budget allocates $30 million for the purchase of two new ship-to-shore cranes (STS), replacing outdated equipment at the port. The acquisition of these cranes will increase the efficiency and capacity of JAXPORT, improving vessel turnaround and supply chain efficiency.
“Thanks to this significant investment made by the Legislature and approved by Governor DeSantis, I am confident that JAXPORT will remain competitive, our economy will continue to thrive, and our state and people will reap the benefits for years to come.”
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State Senator Clay Yarborough, who supported the appropriation request in the Senate, said: “Everything works as a team in Tallahassee, and we have to work as a team as a delegation to bring these things home for our community.
“It’s no secret JAXPORT is one of the strongest – if not the strongest – economic engines that we have in our community with the jobs, the activity, and the forward-thinking that you do on a regular basis.”
State Representative Kimberly Daniels, who filed the appropriation request in the House, stated: “This check is very important for workers, for laborers, for jobs and also for supplies. We have a storm on the way, and we need supplies on our shelves.”
JAXPORT CEO, Eric Green, said: “We are grateful to Governor Ron DeSantis, Speaker Paul Renner, and the entire Florida Legislature for their continued investment in our state’s ports and the jobs, economic impact, and supply chain security we create for the people of Florida.”
Now that the funding is secured, JAXPORT is in the process of procuring the new cranes.
