News & Updates
JAXPORT welcomes U.S. Coast Guard Rear Admiral Peter Brown
Admiral Brown serves as President Trump’s Special Representative for Puerto Rico’s Disaster Recovery.
The Jacksonville Port Authority (JAXPORT), the number one U.S. port for commercial trade with Puerto Rico, today welcomed U.S. Coast Guard Rear Admiral Peter J. Brown for a meeting with JAXPORT leadership, tour of liquefied natural gas (LNG) operations, and a roundtable discussion with the port’s three Puerto Rican carriers.
Admiral Brown serves as President Donald Trump’s Special Representative for Puerto Rico’s Disaster Recovery at the White House, coordinating the United States Government efforts to rebuild the island’s infrastructure and resiliency.
JAXPORT tenants Crowley Maritime Corp., TOTE Maritime Puerto Rico, and Trailer Bridge offer a combined six weekly sailings between JAXPORT and Puerto Rico, shipping more than 700,000 TEUs (containers) and thousands of vehicles annually.
Containerized items shipped from Jacksonville to the island include consumer goods, raw materials, food, building supplies and related items.
After hurricanes Irma and Maria, Jacksonville served as the major load center for relief to Puerto Rico, with the port’s Puerto Rican carriers quickly delivering supplies to the island.
“The commercial connection between Northeast Florida and Puerto Rico is very important to both everyday life on the island, and emergency readiness,” said Admiral Brown. “Supply chain security is a national security issue. It’s impressive to see the volume and efficiency of the carriers serving Puerto Rico through Jacksonville.”
JAXPORT tenants TOTE Maritime and Crowley are world leaders in the use of LNG as a clean marine fuel. The companies each operate two LNG-powered vessels serving the island from Jacksonville. Northeast Florida is also home to three LNG liquefaction and storage facilities, with a fourth currently under construction.
“Puerto Rico is an important trade lane for JAXPORT and our commitment to the island is very strong,” said JAXPORT CEO Eric Green. “The investments in LNG and other innovative technologies made by our port partners help ensure fast, reliable and environmentally friendly cargo service to the people of Puerto Rico from Jacksonville for generations to come.”
About 90 percent of all commercial trade between the U.S. Mainland and Puerto Rico moves through Jacksonville. JAXPORT is the only U.S. East Coast port offering on-dock and near-dock LNG fueling capabilities.