JAXPORT's Jax Forward Strategy Fuels Florida Job Boom

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — The Jacksonville Port Authority, known as JAXPORT, is accelerating Florida's logistics dominance through its 'Jax Forward' strategy, highlighted by CEO Eric Green during the February 2026 State of the Ports address. Described as a 'transformational year,' 2025 saw the completion of a $250 million modernization at Blount Island, including upgrades to the SSA Jacksonville International Container Terminal and a state-of-the-art Southeast Toyota Distributors vehicle processing facility.[1] In fiscal year 2025, JAXPORT handled nearly 1.4 million containers, 506,000 vehicle units and over 10 million tons of cargo, sustaining more than 258,800 jobs statewide with a $44 billion annual economic impact.[1][3] These port-dependent positions, averaging $76,706 in annual salary—well above Florida's $60,210 statewide average—span direct roles like longshoremen and pilots to indirect jobs in warehousing and repair, employing 30,764 people locally.[3] A Martin Associates study underscores how infrastructure investments, including the St. Johns River deepening and new terminals, have diversified cargo and generated tax revenue.[3] Ongoing projects, such as raising the air draft over the 47-foot deepwater harbor to 205 feet by year's end, will accommodate larger vessels, further amplifying Northeast Florida's trade gateway role.[1] JAXPORT's growth builds on 2024 milestones, including MSC Mediterranean Shipping Company's weekly service to South America's West Coast—linking Jacksonville to Ecuador, Peru, Panama and Costa Rica—and Norwegian Cruise Line's seasonal Bahamas and Eastern Caribbean voyages through 2028 aboard the Norwegian Gem.[2] Primark's 550,000-square-foot distribution center in Imeson Park South now imports via JAXPORT, while Enstructure expands at Talleyrand amid a $72 million SSA terminal overhaul and Blount Island berth extensions.[2] Electrification efforts, with new RTG cranes and electric forklifts, align the port with greener operations.[2] Direct port-related employment climbed 4% from 2018 to 2023, reaching 11,318 workers, as cargo throughput solidified JAXPORT among the U.S. top 10 container ports.[2] With balanced imports and exports offering backhaul savings, the port serves Southeast and Midwest markets efficiently, positioning Florida for sustained logistics expansion.[6]