How far are we on developing that Plan B for JAXPORT?

[mtraininjax]

There is only so much money coming from DC for ports, JaxPORT would do well to have multiple strategies, 1) Aggregate & LNG port, 2) Cruise Ships at Mayport, 3) partner more with Brunswick/Savannah ports.

With 13 other ports in FL, and many others around the country, the pie seems to be much smaller. 1.2 billion seems like we have to travel to Mars to pick it up.

[icarus]

The P3 Network — an alliance of Maersk Line, CMA CGM and Mediterranean Shipping Co. — will call on Brunswick and Charleston.

I can't help but think that the Inland Port just opened by Charleston has helped their position immensely. Constrained by land, Charleston built a direct rail connection to an inland intermodal facility 200 miles inland.  the new inland port gives them a huge capacity to handle container shipping and shippers access to 94 million people within a day's drive.  they thought ahead.

[thelakelander]

Where is Charleston's inland port located?

[icarus]

Ever notice how living in Jacksonville can seem like a news vacuum ... apparently it was newsworthy enough for Miami ....
http://www.miamiherald.com/2013/10/15/3690898/scs-inland-port-open-for-business.html

Its located in Greer, SC right near the BMW plant.  BMW is already utilizing it as is many others.  Apparently, moving the container site inland has eliminated a lot of unnecessary truck traffic and made it far more efficient for logistics. Like I said forward thinking.

[mtraininjax]

Great idea to run a rail route inland. Did JM Family do this for their add-on site over near Pritchard Road? I think they have been trailering the vehicles, unless they come off the container yard near Pritchard/CSX.

[thelakelander]

^They have rail access.  However, it may be used to ship vehicles out as opposed to going cross town.

[thelakelander]

Ever notice how living in Jacksonville can seem like a news vacuum ... apparently it was newsworthy enough for Miami ....
http://www.miamiherald.com/2013/10/15/3690898/scs-inland-port-open-for-business.html

Its located in Greer, SC right near the BMW plant.  BMW is already utilizing it as is many others.  Apparently, moving the container site inland has eliminated a lot of unnecessary truck traffic and made it far more efficient for logistics. Like I said forward thinking.

This sounds like what CSX is building in Winter Haven as a part of the Sunrail deal.

In a similar vein, CSX is investing additional monies into a large intermodal facility in Winter Haven, Fla., to be tied into the Ports of Tampa and Jacksonville. While still in the concept phase, this development will provide direct access to the growing populations of the Southeast, while virtually turning the I-4 corridor — an already vibrant economy — into a massive, cross-state dock.

http://www.cargobusinessnews.com/Nov_08/inland_ports.html

[icarus]

I wasn't familiar with CSX's project in Winter Haven but of course FEC is moving ahead with the intermodal terminal at Port Everglades.

I think in all instances the Ports realized the limited amount of real estate and how much more sense it made to make the staging area for containers away from the port and closer to the highway infrastructure as well as the ability to continue on via rail.