The Port of Fernandina is located on Florida’s Atlantic coast. The port provides port and terminal service for both imports and exports to more than fourteen pulp and paper producers located throughout Florida and the Southeastern US. It also supports local paper mills by exporting their products. In addition, the Port of Fernandina handles a diverse mix of cargoes, ranging from containers serving the Bermuda market to a growing bulk import market supporting the construction industry in the Southeastern US.

To better accommodate customers, capital investments of nearly $10 million have been made, and additional investments are planned for the coming years. The port has deepened its berths to 40 feet MLW, added three new cranes, implemented a new Terminal Operating System, and replaced/upgraded its fleet of cargo handling equipment for all types of cargo. The Port of Fernandina currently has 230,000 square-foot of on-port warehouse facilities, over 180,000 square- feet of off-port warehouse facilities, and daily on-dock rail service. It also has a fully certified Container Freight Station and will soon be adding a Foreign Trade Zone designation. The port is included in the M-95 Marine Highway designation and is pursuing opportunities with local industry for short-sea shipping to remove trucks from the over-the-road highway system. The port operator runs a fleet of six trucks to service its customers.

Goals & Objectives

  • Expand offerings to industries beyond forest products, targeting steel and project cargo.
  • Continue to investigate additional inland opportunities; the Terminal Operator currently operates at two off-port locations.

Current or Planned Investments

  • ADDITIONAL COVERED STORAGE FACILITIES
    The additional facilities will allow the Port to handle more breakbulk cargo.
  • NEW CBP ADMINTISTRATIVE FACILITY FENDER SYSTEM REPLACEMENT
    Replace / rehab the fender system on the existing dock.
  • VARIOUS RESILIENCY PROJECTS
    With the goal to prevent ongoing terminal flooding events.

Accomplishments

  • Worldwide Terminals has completed its fourth full year of operations
  • Berth deepening to 40 feet MLW has been accomplished for the Port’s 1,200 l.f. of docks
  • Federal Channel Maintenance Dredging has been performed allowing access for ships with drafts of up to 40 feet
  • A state of the art Terminal Operating System provides port customers and users with real-time access to data, and status of cargos in inventory and shipping details.

Hinterland

The southeastern U.S. and gulf states. Major metropolitan areas include Tampa, Orlando, Jacksonville, Atlanta and New Orleans. As the most westerly port on the East Coast, the Midwest and the Great Lakes region can also be served efficiently. The Port of Fernandina enjoys excellent CSX rail connections with major paper and steel mills in the U.S. Southeast. Its geographical location also allows truckers to reach cities such as Memphis, Charleston, Richmond, Mobile and all of Florida in a day or less, at competitive prices.

Trade Partners

Mission

The Ocean Highway and Port Authority was created in 1941 and authorized to carry out public purposes of benefit to the citizens of the county of Nassau and the state of Florida.