JAXPORT, located along the St. Johns River, is recognized as Florida’s largest container port by volume and is among the top U.S. ports for vehicle handling and breakbulk cargo. The port manages three cargo terminals, two intermodal rail terminals, and a passenger cruise terminal.
The port’s diverse operations include handling specialty cargos such as fresh and frozen goods, forest products, heavy equipment, U.S. military shipments, and project cargo. JAXPORT is visited by dozens of ocean carriers that provide connections to 140 ports in over 70 countries. Regular services link Jacksonville directly with Asia, Europe, South America, the Caribbean, and Central America through major ocean carrier alliances using both the Panama and Suez canals.
Recent infrastructure projects have improved the port’s capabilities. The Blount Island Marine Terminal now features a 47-foot deepwater shipping channel and a new turning basin for larger vessels. Berth enhancements valued at $100 million allow simultaneous docking of two post-Panamax ships at Blount Island. Additionally, phased yard improvements worth more than $72 million were completed in 2025 to increase container-handling capacity at Blount Island. Upgrades totaling $63 million are expected to improve auto-handling efficiencies at vehicle berths.
JAXPORT's location provides immediate access to Interstate highways I-10, I-75, and I-95. This enables reach to over 98 million consumers within a day’s drive from the port. More than 100 trucking companies operate out of JAXPORT alongside daily rail service provided by CSX, Norfolk Southern, and Florida East Coast Railway.
The region leads in liquefied natural gas (LNG) adoption as marine fuel. JAXPORT hosts four LNG-powered ships and two LNG-fueling barges; it is the only East Coast U.S. port offering on-dock and near-dock LNG fueling for ships.
Jacksonville also serves as a cruise hub with Carnival Elation providing regular cruises to the Bahamas for up to 2,052 passengers. Starting fall 2025, Norwegian Gem will homeport in Jacksonville seasonally from November through April with voyages to The Bahamas and Eastern Caribbean.
According to JAXPORT officials: "JAXPORT is Northeast Florida’s economic engine, with cargo and cruise activity supporting more than 138,000 jobs in Florida and $33 billion in annual economic impact."