b'2American Journal ofTransportation ajot.comFlorida Ports forecast calls forFLORIDA PORTS 2025growth in cargo and cruisesFY25 port predictions look to business diversity and connectivity expansions.By Brenda Silva, AJOTAmong East Coast desti- in its container service, JAX-nationsforimportedgoods,PORT has begun new global manyFloridaportshavecarrier alliances with some of establishedthemselvesasthe worlds top ocean carriers. appealingtraderouteend- Thesestrategicpartnerships points by offering the deep- andmodifiedserviceroutes waterchannelsanddesiredprovide the Port with access turnaroundtimesneededtoto more global markets than accommodatetodaysPost- everbefore,allowingfor Panamax container ships. Asexpandedconnectivitywith such, competition among topnewandemergingmarkets Floridaportsforincreasedworldwide.tenantsandtraffichasCEOEricGreensaid, portauthoritieslookingtoOur mission is to be an eco-increaseservicesandinfra- nomic engine and job creator structure options set forth asfor the community. We achieve MasterPlangoals.Ifthesethisthroughstrategicgrowth on-port goals are achieved as(FORECAST continued on expected,keyFloridaportspage 4) JAXPORT has begun new global carrier alliances with some of the worlds top ocean carriers. will become integral players indecreasinglengthyberth stays by providing more effi-cient logistics for both cargo and cruise passengers.P ort ofJ acksonville(JaXPort)AtthePortofJackson- Southwest villesStateofthePort 2025address,thefocus was on a growth outlook thatFloridasOrlandoincludedbusinessdiversifi-cation and trade lane connec-tivity.Duringtheaddress,Gateway toJacksonvillePortAuthor-ity(JAXPORT)CEOEric Green and CCO Robert PeekGlobal Tradedetailed how the ports busi-ness diversification, increased global connectivity, and ongo-ing terminal upgrades position the port for growth and suc-cess in 2025 and beyond. Located at the entrance to Tampa Bay, SeaPort Manatee is one Updatedportstatisticsof Floridas fastest-growing deepwater seaports, providing time-saving showthatcargoactivityconnections to key transportation routes I-75, I-275, and the CSX mainline.throughJacksonvillessea- As the closest U.S. container seaport with multiple weekly liner services to portplayedaroleinmore than 228,100 jobs in FloridaMexico and Central America, SeaPort Manatee provides shippers and businesses and contributed to $44 billionwith strategic transportation solutions and streamlined logistics.inannualeconomicoutputFrom breakbulk to bulk, to project cargo, containers, and 1 million square feet of fortheregionandstateincold and dry storage facilitieslet us show you why SeaPort Manatee is your global 2024. However, port execu-tives are not content to sit onsupply chain solution.theirimpressivelogistical laurelsattheStateslargest containerportwhichoffers a 47-foot deepwater shipping channel, two-way ship traffic, and same-day access to nearlyMANATEE COUNTY PORT AUTHORITY100millionU.S.consum- 300 Tampa Bay WayPalmetto, FL 34221ersand anticipate 2025 to(941) 722 6621beatransformationalyearwww.SeaPortManatee.comforthePortofJacksonville by way of the completion of major projects on JAXPORTs current to-do list.JAXPORT Chair, Wendy Hamilton,said,Fromthe additionofnewtradelanes tothecompletionofmajor growthprojects,2025is shapinguptobeatransfor-mational year for JAXPORT. CEO Green has a clear vision for the continued growth and development of JAXPORTstrengthening the supply chain andcreatinganenvironment wheretheportscustomers and partners can thrive.As part of the future growth'