Jacksonville Port Authority has placed a third new ship to shore container crane into service at its Talleyrand Marine Terminal, further expanding handling capacity at Florida’s largest container port.
The new crane, manufactured by Liebherr, completed its first container move this week. Designed with a 100 foot lift height, the crane is capable of reaching across 17 containers on a vessel deck, improving operational efficiency for larger container ships calling at the terminal.
The unit is the third Liebherr crane added to JAXPORT over the past year. Two additional cranes entered service earlier at the port’s Blount Island Marine Terminal.
All three cranes form part of a wider US$93 million fleet modernisation programme aimed at upgrading the port’s cargo handling infrastructure. The initiative includes US$53 million in funding provided by the State of Florida over the past two years for crane purchases and upgrades.
Eric Green said the investments will support economic growth, strengthen cargo operations and improve efficiency for customers using the port.
Located in the southeastern United States, JAXPORT is Florida’s leading container port by volume and ranks among the largest vehicle handling ports in the country. The port operates with a 47 foot deepwater channel, two way vessel traffic and direct access to major US consumer markets.
According to the port authority, cargo activity through Jacksonville’s seaport supports more than 258,000 jobs and generates an annual economic impact of approximately US$44 billion for the region and the state.
