Exploring JAXPORT

[Metro Jacksonville]

Exploring JAXPORT



Established in 1963 and already one of the largest commercial cargo ports on the Atlantic Coast, JAXPORT seeks to become a major economic engine in North Florida by continuing to be a premier diversified port with connections to major trade lanes throughout the world.


Full Article
http://www.metrojacksonville.com/article/2010-feb-exploring-jaxport

[BridgeTroll]

Great article and photo's!

[heights unknown]

Industrial waste fart.

"HU"

[Wacca Pilatka]

Superb photos as usual.

What is ro/ro?

[Lunican]

Roll On/Roll Off

Roll-on/roll-off (RORO or ro-ro) ships are vessels designed to carry wheeled cargo such as automobiles, trucks, semi-trailer trucks, trailers or railroad cars that are driven on and off the ship on their own wheels. This is in contrast to lo-lo (lift on-lift off) vessels which use a crane to load and unload cargo.

RORO vessels have built-in ramps which allow the cargo to be efficiently "rolled on" and "rolled off" the vessel when in port. While smaller ferries that operate across rivers and other short distances still often have built-in ramps, the term RORO is generally reserved for larger ocean-going vessels. The ramps and doors may be stern-only, or bow and stern for quick loading.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roll-on/roll-off

[Jason]

I learn something new everyday, thanks to this site!

Well done.

[finehoe]

This is the the kind of economic development Jacksonville should direct resources to, rather than thinking a professional sports franchise or stadium expansions will provide the kinds of high-paying employment that the port does.

[brapt]

finehoe,

Can't we have all of these things?  Don't they both contribute either directly or indirectly to many high-paying jobs in the city?

[Lunican]

The port needs to dredge the river to really move forward, but there is opposition due to environmental concerns.

[Ocklawaha]

This is the the kind of economic development Jacksonville should direct resources to, rather than thinking a professional sports franchise or stadium expansions will provide the kinds of high-paying employment that the port does.

In so many ways our port puts us just inches from "World Class" city, with every potential to take us over the top. While not recession or depression proof, Port related employment is far more stable then most other jobs, leaving Jacksonville financially stronger then many of our larger neighbors to the south in times like these. Nationally, consider the weather Savannah (and points north) have slogged through this winter, and you'll get a clue as to why the Federal Government has quietly designated us as a "Super-Port", and why the industry has called us "The Port Of Gold." Location, Location, Location? If you go south of Jaxport, you add rail or highway miles to every shipment out, and if you go north of Jaxport, you involve not only ice, and snow, but a record for more hurricane strikes. Then there is the whole "their port - our port," argument, in which Jax operates as a landlord port, with carriers free to operate their own terminals, and everybody else, operates the terminals FOR the carriers.

JAXPORT is WIN, WIN, WIN.

When I hear light hearted jabs like HU took above, I think he wrote that on a computer made where? and imported through what port?


OCKLAWAHA

[kells904]

finehoe....I don't wanna beat the "we need a franchise" drum, because what you're saying is totally logical.  However, it's my opinion that having the franchise may tilt a company's decision toward setting up shop here instead of somewhere else. Surely it helps sell the city as "a community on the rise" or whatever, which is why it's a part of the city's sales pitch on coj.net. For all we know, it might have already done the trick at some point in the past.

[finehoe]

Can't we have all of these things? 

Of course we can, but there is no comparison between the number of stable, well-paying jobs a humming port creates when compared to the number that come with a pro sports team.

[brapt]

Of course we can, but there is no comparison

No doubt, but it certainly can't hurt to upkeep an NFL presence as a draw to other avenues of $$$, many detailed by kells904's comments above.

The more I read and keep up with MJ the more I am convinced we do have the makings of a "World-Class" City, we just need to convince ourselves, our leadership and the rest of the world of it with intelligent (re)design.

[djaffee]

Thanks for the report on Jaxport and the great photos.
This is one of the most significant sources of economic dynamism for the region, so it deserves coverage and attention. It is also important for the community to understand the implications, and costs and benefits, of a port economy.

For further information along these lines, check out The Ports Project website at UNF.
http://www.unf.edu/coas/cci/ports/index.htm

[Wacca Pilatka]

Can't we have all of these things? 

Of course we can, but there is no comparison between the number of stable, well-paying jobs a humming port creates when compared to the number that come with a pro sports team.

I don't think anyone who's passionate about the Jaguars on this forum would disagree with you. 

But kells904 is absolutely right, as is the converse of what kells is saying.  Having a team cemented the city's status as an up-and-coming player in the 1990s.  Losing one would be devastating to its local and national image, and could have a deleterious effect on business growth and human capital.