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Crenshaw Touts Future of JAXPORT and Its Impact on Local Economy

Congressman Tours Harbor Deepening Project on St. John’s River

October 22, 2008

(JACKSONVILLE, FL) -- Today Congressman Ander Crenshaw toured the Jacksonville Harbor Deepening Project by boat and received an update on the Army Corp of Engineers’ dredging project and its impact on the Port’s future development.  Rep. Crenshaw worked to secure $9 million in federal funds to complete the Phase II dredging in the St. Johns federal shipping channel.  The funding is included in the FY 2009 Energy and Water Development Appropriations Bill and awaits a vote by the whole House when it returns.

Rep. Crenshaw said, “In a time when the growth of our national economy is slowing, JAXPORT continues to expand.  The Port’s success means more business and jobs for Northeast Florida.”

This past July, JAXPORT had its first Asian cargo ship come port, and the new Asian shipping service, Mitsui O.S.K. Lines (MOL), will increase container ship traffic by 100%, from 800,000 to 1.5 million units by 2010.  This will place JAXPORT in the top ten among U.S. container ports and continue to bolster its status as a premier South Atlantic port.

“The Port is a driving force in our local economy and finishing the harbor deepening project will give it the competitive edge it needs to continue to attract future business,” added Rep. Crenshaw.

Phase One of the deepening project deepened the first 14.7 miles of the St. John’s River to 40 feet and was completed in 2003.  Rep. Crenshaw worked to secure $5.3 million in federal funds for the project in 2001.

Phase Two will deepen a 5.3 mile section, extending from the end of Phase One to the Talleyrand Terminal.  The project will take the depth of the section from 38 feet to 40 feet.  Each additional foot of harbor depth allows a ship to carry up to 600 additional 20-foot cargo containers, and Miami, Charleston, and Savannah currently have deeper shipping channels than Jacksonville.

Following the tour, Rep. Crenshaw said, “Currently, the depth of the main shipping channel is among the shallowest of all Southern port cities and we need this project to strengthen JAXPORT’s competitive hand in attracting new business.”

"Jacksonville's leaders in Washington understand the future of this region's economic health depends on aggressive investment in port infrastructure," said Rick Ferrin, Executive Director of the Jacksonville Port Authority (JAXPORT). "Congressman Crenshaw has already proven his commitment to helping JAXPORT continue to bring jobs and opportunity here, and I always welcome the chance to offer him a first hand look at the issues we face."

“There is no port in the nation with a brighter future than Jacksonville, as we are poised to be the key to Asian markets and products,” added Rep. Crenshaw.  “When I think of the economy, jobs, and expansion, I think of JAXPORT.”

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