Florida’s Jacksonville Port Authority (Jaxport) has received a federal grant of US$40 million to modernise Berth 32 at Blount Island Marine Terminal in Jacksonville.
The funding comes from the US Maritime Administration's Port Infrastructure Development Program. The works will reconstruct approximately 900 feet (270 metres) of berth, increase its load bearing capacity, and upgrade infrastructure supporting cargo operations.
The award forms part of a US$498 million funding round for 35 port projects across 19 states, which was announced on October 27.
"Modernising Berth 32 at Blount Island builds on recent public and private investments to expand our port's capabilities, strengthen cargo connections serving the Southeast US and Puerto Rico, and enhance our role as a US strategic seaport," said Jaxport CEO Eric Green.
In April, the Jaxport board approved a US$1.5 million contract with Taylor Engineering for work on Berths 30–32, Jax Daily Record reported. A staff memo quoted in that coverage said the objective was to modernise the berths, "to safely accommodate larger, deeper-draught vessels, higher ship-to-shore crane loads, and increased cargo loads."
The depth alongside Berths 30–32 is currently 40 feet (12 metres) at mean low water. At the neighbouring Berths 33–35 it is 47 feet (14 metres), which matches the federal channel deepened through Blount Island in 2022.
According to engineering firm HDR, the Berth 32 reconstruction was planned as Phase 2C of a wharf rehabilitation programme across Berths 30–35. That programme followed a 2010 inspection that found severe corrosion and led to load restrictions.
Earlier phases were completed in 2017 and 2022, while Phase 2C was postponed until terminal demand warranted it.