News & Updates

President’s Message: March 2022

March 14, 2022

Florida’s ongoing Open for Business marketing efforts continue bearing fruit, with more and more cargo calling on Florida’s efficient and uncongested seaports. On the heels of our successful economic development mission to TPM 2022, where port directors from across the Sunshine State had positive conversations with East to West shipping lines and BSOs, Florida has secured a big fish.

Singapore-based global ocean carrier Sea Lead Shipping will bring its first U.S. East Coast container service to JAXPORT – a major economic development announcement that Governor Ron DeSantis made dockside at the Northeast Florida port, alongside Port Director Eric Green. Jacksonville is the last port of call on the rotation connecting Jacksonville to three ports in China and one in South Korea. This new service is an expansion of Sea Lead’s U.S. West Coast operations and showcases the advantages JAXPORT’s uncongested berths and efficiency offers worldwide ocean carriers.

And the just-completed 2022 Legislative Session saw the FDOT FY 2022-2023 Work Program fully funded at $10.8 billion. This includes over $135.9 million for seaport projects and programs. On substantive bills, lawmakers approved a bill allowing Putnam County to request a port feasibility study and add the county to the FSTED Council.

Later this month, we’ll continue sharing Florida’s ability to double its container capacity when we host staff from Florida’s Congressional Delegation, highlighting the economic benefits of Florida’s 15 seaports. And we’ll participate in Florida’s Supply Chain Summit where we’ll highlight Florida’s role in getting goods from ship to shelf.

Our momentum is strong. Our collective efforts are convincing others to change shipping lanes, and call on Florida ports. Together, we are connecting commerce.