THE Port of Jacksonville (Jaxport) board has voted to pursue its own way to dredging to 47 feet (14.3 metres) from today's 40 feet (12.2 metres), despite the US Army Corps of Engineers recommended increase to 45 feet (13.7 metres), which still lacks Washington's approval of funding.
"The urgency of the matter is critical," said Trapac container terminal manager Dennis Kelly. "Miami is going to start to dredge this year. Savannah will probably start dredging by next year. We've already got Norfolk at 50 feet [15.2 metres], and Charleston at 45 to 47 feet."
The Army Corps has recommended Jaxport's channel be dredged to 45 feet only and the port authority has asked for an additional two feet at its own cost, but Congress has yet to authorise it or fund it.
Fresh dredging plans also face lengthy environmental assessment and expected lawsuits from environmentalists. It took the Port of Savannah more than a decade to get past the red tape before it could begin dredging, a project that should be shovel-ready next year.
The Jacksonville Port Authority stands at a critical crossroads and without action, its options will soon get worse, according to the local shipping community, reports the Jacksonville Business Journal.
Cargo ships are bigger and the port needs to upgrade to accommodate them. Maersk has put its 18,000 TEUer into sea trials and CMA CGM last month christened its new 16,000-TEU ship.
"That's the trend, because of the economies of scale that you get with these ships. The industry is all going that way," said Mr Kelly.
Only lightly loaded 6,000-TEUers can call at Jaxport today. Most ships today need 45 feet of water, he said.
PORTS
28 June 2013 - 21:50
Jaxport to dredge to 14.3 metres channel itself
THE Port of Jacksonville (Jaxport) board has voted to pursue its own way to dredging to 47 feet (14.3 metres) from today's 40 feet (12.2 metres)
PORTS
28 June 2013 - 21:50
Not waiting for DC okay, Jaxport to dredge to 14.3 metres channel itself
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