In conjunction with the agreement with Jaxport, Cere Terminals acquire TraPac Jacksonville from Mitsui OSK Lines (MOL). Details of the sale were not disclosed.
Subject to completion of the sale, Ceres will begin operating the 64-hectare-container facility located at Jaxport’s Dames Point Marine Terminal on 1 March.
“We are excited about our long-term commitment to Jaxport and the local community. Our significant investment in Dames Point Terminal provides an excellent gateway for South Atlantic-based distribution centres, well into the future,” said Craig Mygatt, Ceres Terminals CEO.
The agreement includes a $45m lease with Jaxport. Ceres will also make $15m in terminal upgrades, including investments in cargo handling equipment and systems.
Ceres has 60 years of experience with operations at many of North America’s largest ports.
An existing Jaxport tenant, Ceres has operated the Jaxport intermodal yard (ICTF) at Dames Point, adjacent to the TraPac terminal, since it opened in 2016.
“An investment of this magnitude speaks volumes about the opportunity that exists in Jacksonville,” said Jaxport Board Chair Wendy Hamilton.
TraPac Jacksonville features two 365.7 metres-long berths and six post-Panamax container cranes. Along with the existing Asian and South American services, the facility recently accommodated Hapag-Lloyd’s AL3 European container service, which rerouted to Jaxport for nine weeks to avoid US port congestion.
“The ongoing supply chain disruption underscores the significance of this agreement and the importance of the capabilities offered by the TraPac Jacksonville facility,” said Jaxport CEO Eric Green.
“When we put together Jaxport’s Strategic Master Plan, our focus was growing cargo volumes and the private sector jobs they support. This agreement is a major step forward in the evolution of that plan. We thank MOL for their partnership over the years and look forward to growing the economic impact this facility has on our community under its new ownership with Ceres.”
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