JaxPort: New 'Panama Canal era' of shipping is here

JaxPort says we are entering a new era of shipping after a historic arrival on Tuesday.

The MOL Majesty became the first container ship to arrival at JaxPort through the new, expanded locks of the Panama Canal.  The ship docked at TraPac Container Terminal at Dames Point.

JaxPort calls this the beginning of the new “Panama Canal era” where porting larger container ships is the norm.  They say the federal project to deepen the harbor to 47 feet to accommodate these ships fully loaded is moving into the construction phase.

“We already have the infrastructure, highway and rail connections, labor options and efficiency that the international cargo industry demands, and we are on our way toward a harbor depth that will accommodate ships like the Majesty at capacity, creating jobs and opportunity,” says JaxPort CEO Brian Taylor.

The MOL Majesty is 991 feet and has a maximum capacity of 6,724 TEU (containers) requiring 46.5 feet of water when fully laden.