JAXPORT to Pursue 47-Foot Federal Channel

At their meeting on Feb. 25, the Board of Directors of the Jacksonville Port Authority (JAXPORT) voted unanimously to inform the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers that JAXPORT will pursue a harbor "deep enough to remain competitive” by supplying additional local investment for the project.

The board accepted a staff recommendation that, as the local harbor sponsor, the port request the dredging of the federal channel to a depth of no less than 47 feet. This request will now be added to the final phases of the Corps study. The current channel depth is 40 feet MLW.

"We all know that there is incredible opportunity just over the horizon for North Florida and the ability to be the first or last port of call for the larger cargo vessels fully loaded means jobs and positive growth for the private sector in our region,” said JAXPORT Interim CEO Roy Schleicher. "We must maximize the use of the public assets under our management and we must do so now.”

The Corps plans to release draft results of its harbor deepening study in May.

American Association of Port Authorities
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