ONE BROKER . ANY PORT . NATIONWIDE . www . joc . com April 22 , 2024 | Journal of Commerce 27
SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION
JACKSONVILLE TRADE AND LOGISTICS
TOTE Group , through its operating company TOTE , was the first US shipping company to commit to LNG as a maritime fuel due to its air quality benefits and decreased greenhouse gas emissions . Jaxport has been an important partner in this transition , said Noone , supporting the development of on-dock and near-dock LNG fueling capabilities .
“ Jaxport ’ s commitment to LNG positions them to attract additional vessels calling on the port with more and more vessels utilizing LNG as a fuel ,” said Noone . “ TOTE Services ’ LNG expertise will be critical to these carriers , and First Coast Terminals is positioned to handle a wide range of cargo that will arrive at the port .”
Third-party logistics provider Watco has continued to invest in Jacksonville ’ s railway system , with plans to partner with the city this year to contribute approximately $ 1 million dollars to improve interchanges and add additional tracks for receipt and delivery of rail cars from the Class I railroads . This initiative
will allow the movement of more truck cargo to rail , freeing up capacity in a tight market . Every railcar used takes four container trucks off the road .
“ It is really kind of unique ; not a lot of other places do that ,” said Marc Massoglia , Watco ’ s senior vice president of sales , terminals and ports . “ Being able to load on dock and move it there is more cost effective , and [ there is ] less congestion in the port and less congestion on the roads .”
Business leaders in the industry credit Jacksonville and the northeast Florida region ’ s emphasis on innovation and environmentally-friendly practices for attracting transportation and logistics companies and their high-performing employees . With its population growing steadily year over year , the boom is not set to bust any time soon .
“ It ’ s very business friendly ,” said Heibel of Jacksonville . “ We ’ ve been welcomed with open arms by virtually everyone in the community . It ’ s been a great transition .” ■
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ONE BROKER . ANY PORT . NATIONWIDE . www . joc . com April 22 , 2024 | Journal of Commerce 27