The MOL Bravo transited the Suez Canal from Asia before reaching the U.S. East Coast.

The federal project to deepen the Jacksonville shipping channel to 47 feet to accommodate more cargo aboard the largest ships is set to begin construction by early 2018.

“When our harbor is deepened to 47 feet, a ship like the MOL Bravo will move twice as much cargo in and out of JAXPORT,” said Dennis Kelly, Regional Vice President and General Manager, TraPac Jacksonville.

JAXPORT offers direct trade with Asian ports through both the Panama and Suez Canals. The world’s three largest ocean carrier alliances, THE Alliance, 2M and Ocean Alliance offer service through JAXPORT.

The port has recorded an average of 21 percent annual growth in Asian container volumes during the past five years.

 Manzi, who will be based in Jacksonville and report to Carl Fox, senior vice president, corporate services, succeeds Charlie Nalen, who is retiring after 36 years of service to Crowley.
Manzi joined Crowley last year as director of health and safety, and has more than 36 years of experience in the maritime industry, serving as a navigational watch officer, and various positions of increasing responsibility in marine operations and corporate safety, health, and environmental compliance and stewardship as well as serving the industry on technical committees and in leadership roles in trade safety organizations. Prior to joining Crowley, he served in a variety of health, safety and environmental roles with BP, including stints in shipping, major projects in the Middle East and drilling and exploration in North Africa. “Paul is highly qualified and prepared for this very important role with our company,” said Fox. “Safety is our No. 1 core value, and we are going to count on his leadership to help us on our ‘road to zero,’ which is a term we use internally to refer to goal that means no harm to people, property or the environment.” Reporting to Manzi will be Daniel Smith and Ketra Anderson, who are both directors of SSQE based in Seattle. Manzi is a Certified Safety Professional (CSP) and earned a master’s degree in environmental management from the University of Houston and a bachelor of science degree in marine transportation and nautical science from the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy at Kings Point.

As new ocean carrier alliance services entered the gateway, volumes increased by 18 percent compared to last year.

Full imports grew 10 percent to 115,960 TEUs compared to last year as retailers continue to rebuild inventory levels and a favorable market outlook fuels import demand. Despite the strong U.S. dollar, full exports were up 8 percent to 78,086 TEUs. Empty exports also grew 72 percent as ocean carriers continue to reposition empties to Asia in preparation for peak season. The National Retail Federation recently projected in its June – October forecast that imports are expected to continue their strong growth trend.
Year to date, full import volumes were up 11 percent to 578,387 TEUs. Meanwhile, full exports grew 5 percent to 402,829 TEUs. Total international containers, including empties, increased 13 percent year to date to 1,223,535, the highest since 2006.
Total container volumes for the gateway grew 12 percent over the same month last year, and year-to-date volumes were up 8 percent.
Total domestic volumes for the month declined 8 percent compared to the same month last year. Alaska’s year-to-date volumes declined 8 percent and are expected to end the year 5 to 6 percent lower due to soft market conditions. Hawaii volumes through the Pacific Northwest declined 7 percent due to diversion to Southern California.
Other cargo:
• Driven by consistent demand from China, log volumes were up 93.9 percent to 129,927 metric tons over the same time last year.
• Breakbulk cargo was down 7 percent, to 69,901 metric tons year to date, due to soft market conditions.
• Autos, at 59,891 units year to date, slipped 20 percent compared to the same time last year, reflecting weakening U.S. demand and shifting manufacturing locations.