MOL may begin Jacksonville calls this summer

MOL may begin Jacksonville calls this summer Mitsui O.S.K. Lines may begin making calls at the Port of Jacksonville’s Blount Island Marine Terminal this summer, prior to its new terminal opening, now scheduled for December.
   Roy Schleicher, senior director of trade development and marketing, made the announcement at the port’s board of directors meeting Monday.
   Ron Baker, deputy executive director and chief financial officer, said he recently returned from South Korea, where talks continued with Hanjin Shipping regarding establishing a new container terminal in Jacksonville. Negotiations will now move towards a final long-term lease agreement, expected to be presented to the board at its April meeting.
   In other action, the board approved two Talleyrand-area property agreements with Crowley Liner Services: a 10-year lease agreement for seven acres and a 10-year sublease agreement for 3.8 acres. They also authorized staff to issue revenue bonds to help finance the port’s capital budget, a move planned in this year’s budget.
   The board approved a measure authorizing dredging of a turning basin by the Dames Point Marine Terminal, so that large ships may turn around more easily, beginning this summer.