Report On Ports - JACKSONVILLE NUMBER 1

[Ocklawaha]

Talleyrand Terminal Railroad, just a small example of things we should be seeing more of...

No we're not the largest port in the world, or even the country, but we are a big dog nonetheless. Here is an article from a market watch and intelligence gathering corporation. Zepol's report will be seen around the world and those REALLY BIG PUPPY INVESTORS, around the world in places like Kuala Lampur, Singapore, Hamburg, and Sao Paulo, will be reading this about the same time as you. Remember that Bronco's coach who infamously shouted to a reporter 'Hell, I don't even know where Jacksonville is!" (after which we handed them their asses in what might be called a reckoning), well the people that count now have one more reason to KNOW WHERE JACKSONVILLE IS!

Just one more reason to get that 'JACKSONVILLE BELT RAILROAD' (aka:"S" line) rebuilt and achieve city ownership of the switching district from Maxwell House to Yulee, to Blount Island, to Union Station, with a lease to a neutral terminal operator.

MINNEAPOLIS, MN, Mar 19, 2012 (MARKETWIRE via COMTEX) -- Zepol Corporation, the leading trade intelligence company, today announced the release of their "2011 U.S. Port Report." The report details port activity for the top 20 U.S. ports for 2011. Each port profile provides detailed information on recent trends, key importers, top carriers, and more. Click here to download the report or visit www.zepol.com .

3 Key Insights Found in the Report:

1. Based on TEU volume, 18 of the top 20 U.S. ports showed positive growth from 2010 to 2011. 2. China is the number one country of origin for three-fourths of the ports on our list. 3. The Port of Jacksonville posted the largest percent increase in inbound TEUs, rising over 25% in the last year.

"We are pleased to offer our annual port report for the third consecutive year, after receiving very positive feedback in the past," states Paul Rasmussen, CEO & President of Zepol Corporation. "Our latest report provides an excellent synopsis on how U.S. ports have been performing in the last year and also sheds light upon what we can expect in the future."

The information in the report was derived entirely from Zepol's trade intelligence tools, TradeIQ(TM) and TradeView(TM). Zepol's tools meet the needs of port authorities, transportation companies, importers, and government agencies. From competitive intelligence to lead generation, we help those dealing with the perils of global trade. The tools are available for online access through a variety of subscription options at www.zepol.com . To view more free trade reports from Zepol, click here.

About Zepol Corporation:

Zepol Corporation is a Minnesota-based company working to provide the most complete and up-to-date U.S. trade data through our subscription tools.

[Trainman]

I nominate the St Marys RR as the designated Belt Railway operator! But seriously, this is great news for the NE Florida-SE Georgia area. Those of us in the rail industry truly understand the rail-port relationship. I don't know if JAXPORT applied, but the TIGER IV grants will be handed out soon. The intermodal rail yard planned for Blount Island is a must have as is CSX putting the track back in from north of Yulee (Manley) to Callahan. Let's bag our share of those Panamax ships!

[Gators312]

Let's bag our share of those Panamax ships!

It will be a while before Jacksonville gets the funding and begins dredging, I think 7-10 years at least.

I would like JAXPORT to focus on gaining non-Panamax traffic growth.  There are only so many docks and if the Panamax ships are displacing non-Panamax port calls at other ports JAXPORT could focus on getting those calls.

[Ocklawaha]

I nominate the St Marys RR as the designated Belt Railway operator! But seriously, this is great news for the NE Florida-SE Georgia area. Those of us in the rail industry truly understand the rail-port relationship. I don't know if JAXPORT applied, but the TIGER IV grants will be handed out soon. The intermodal rail yard planned for Blount Island is a must have as is CSX putting the track back in from north of Yulee (Manley) to Callahan. Let's bag our share of those Panamax ships!

One more thing for us to talk about on April 6!  Yeah, we finally have nailed a date, rain or shine!

Actually I like the idea of the STM operating the terminal district as y'all already have a good working relationship with the connections.

About the CSX, are they working on the line now? Between Gross and Callahan, or my preferred Yulee to Callahan route?
What have you heard?