Ro/Ro Cargo: Jacksonville, Tampa

Vac-Con, Inc. a Green Cove Springs (FL)-based manufacturer of truck mounted vacuum equipment and hydro excavating machines, this month delivered 18 new jumbo-sized specialty trucks to the Port of Jacksonville for export to Peru. The Tampa Port Authority this week announced that the port’s board of commissioners has approved a terminal use agreement with its new strategic partner AMPORTS – one of North America’s largest auto processors – to process new automobiles, trucks and other vehicles for delivery by truck and rail to Southeast markets within and outside of Florida.

JAXPORT: Made-in-Northeast Florida Jumbo Trucks Head to Peru 

Vac-Con, Inc. a Green Cove Springs (FL)-based manufacturer of truck mounted vacuum equipment and hydro excavating machines, this month delivered 18 new jumbo-sized specialty trucks to the Port of Jacksonville for export to Peru. This single shipment represents more than $6 million in exports.

Since 1986, Vac-Con has manufactured more than 6,500 custom-built, truck-mounted machines to serve the public and private environmental markets worldwide, and now employs nearly 300 people at its single location in Green Cove Springs. While Vac-Con’s primary business has been focused on building trucks for delivery in North America, exports to other countries continue to grow. This is just the latest example of Vac-Con’s contributions to Northeast Florida's export economy and comes on the heels of a 20-truck shipment to Iraq just weeks ago.

Jacksonville exported more than 350,000 cars, trucks and heavy equipment units during FY 2012-2013. 

Photo/JAXPORT 

Tampa Port Authority Board Approves AMPORTS Auto Processing Agreement

The Tampa Port Authority this week announced that the port’s board of commissioners has approved a terminal use agreement with its new strategic partner AMPORTS – one of North America’s largest auto processors – to process new automobiles, trucks and other vehicles for delivery by truck and rail to Southeast markets within and outside of Florida.

The Tampa Port Authority and AMPORTS signed a letter of intent in July to develop a new terminal dedicated to the import and export of automobiles and rolling stock.

Mexico’s large and growing capacity for automotive production is spurring demand for efficient and low-cost distribution to the U.S. market, where an estimated one in 10 cars sold in the U.S. is made in Mexico.  

"We are very excited about our partnership with AMPORTS, and the relationship we are building with them. This agreement is a tremendous win for the economic development of the Tampa Bay region. We are very fortunate to have great partners in this venture, such as Ports America, CSX Railroad and AMPORTS," said Paul Anderson, port authority CEO.

In addition to imports from Mexico, AMPORTS and the Port of Tampa will serve as a gateway for U.S.-produced vehicles aimed toward Latin America and Caribbean destinations.  

Rendering of future auto processing facility at the Port of Tampa. 
Photo/Tampa Port Authority

American Association of Port Authorities
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