L4 Logistics | Transport Shipping and Logistics News

JAXPORT’s fiscal year ended September 30. Highlights include: Total cargo shipped through JAXPORT facilities grew to a record 8,448,654 tons in FY 2005, the second consecutive year JAXPORT has broken its own tonnage record. This is a 10 percent increase over last year’s record 7,688,268 tons and the Port Authority’s fifth consecutive year of cargo growth.Also in FY 2005, a total of 138,289 passengers embarked on cruise ships departing the JAXPORT Cruise Terminal, a 78 percent increase over the 85,382 embarkations in FY 2004, JAXPORT’s first full year of cruise service. The increase is largely attributable to Carnival Cruise Lines initiating year-round service from JAXPORT aboard its vessel Celebration.According to unaudited financial statements, JAXPORT’s annual operating revenues grew to a record $33.0 million, eclipsing the record $31.0 million achieved last fiscal year. Operating income grew from $8.0 million in 2004 to $8.6 million in 2005. (JAXPORT’s annual external audit is underway and final numbers will be reported upon its completion.) On the cargo front, JAXPORT reported gains in three of its four cargo categories: containerized cargoes – primarily consumer goods – grew six percent to 4.1 million tons; bulk cargoes – including crushed limestone and other aggregates – grew 28 percent to 2.3 million tons; and vehicle cargoes – primarily passenger cars, trucks and heavy equipment – grew two percent to a little over one million tons. Meanwhile, breakbulk cargoes – which include lumber, paper, steel, poultry and other non-containerized commodities – fell three percent to 806,951 tons. Of the 8.4 million total tons, 55 percent was imported and 45 percent was exported. The new tonnage mark includes a record number of cargo containers – measured in 20-foot equivalent units (TEUs) – handled at JAXPORT, with 777,318 TEUs moved in 2005. “We are very pleased to achieve this record performance across all facets of our organization,” said JAXPORT Executive Director Rick Ferrin. “This success is attributable to the hard work of our tenants and customers, the dedication of JAXPORT employees, and the strong leadership from our Board of Directors.” JAXPORT made several business announcements in 2005 projected to help JAXPORT maintain strong performance in 2006 and beyond. This was highlighted by Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, Ltd., (MOL) a Tokyo-based ocean transportation company, signing a 30-year lease agreement with JAXPORT to provide direct container ship service between Jacksonville and ports in Asia. MOL’s operations are projected to begin in late 2007. Additionally, Ford Motor Company selected JAXPORT as one of only three ports nationwide for the export of the company’s Ford GT, while Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. announced it would return car shipments through JAXPORT after several years absence. JAXPORT also signed a new 20-year lease with existing port customer Coastal Maritime Stevedoring, LLC, and a 20-year lease agreement with Rinker Materials of Florida, which will import a minimum of 866,000 tons of bulk cargo annually through JAXPORT. Several shipping lines also added or expanded cargo service throughout the year. “Growth in our core cargo and cruise business in 2005, coupled with these new agreements, position JAXPORT for continued strong financial health for many years to come,” said Ron Baker, JAXPORT’s Deputy Executive Director and Chief Financial Officer. (Source: Press Release)