Jacksonville Port Authority posts record tonnage

Jacksonville Port Authority posts record tonnage    The Jacksonville Port Authority said it handled a best-ever 8.44 million tons of cargo in its fiscal year ended Sept. 30, up 10 percent over last year’s record 7.68 million tons.
   Containerized cargo grew 6 percent to 4.1 million tons, which includes a record 777,318 TEUs. Bulk cargoes grew 28 percent to 2.3 million tons, and vehicle cargoes grew 2 percent to about 1 million tons. Breakbulk cargoes declined 3 percent to 806,951 tons.
   In the fiscal year 2005, the port authority’s operating income rose 7.5 percent to $8.6 million, while operating revenue improved 6.4 percent to a record $33 million.
   In the summer, Mitsui O.S.K. Lines signed a 30-year lease agreement with the port authority to provide a direct liner service between the port of Jacksonville and Asia. MOL’s operations are projected to begin in late 2007.