Trailer Bridge, JAXPORT sign 10-year contract

   The Port of Jacksonville and long-time tenant Trailer Bridge, Inc., have signed a new 10-year lease contract, which includes two additional five-year options. The agreement continues the company’s operations on approximately 32 acres at JAXPORT’s Blount Island Marine Terminal.
   Jacksonville-based Trailer Bridge has operated at JAXPORT since the company’s founding in 1991. The firm offers a cargo transportation services between the mainland, Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic. The company operates a fleet of barges that carry trailers, containers and automobiles, and offers inland trucking services.
   “We look forward to continuing a long and healthy relationship with the Port of Jacksonville,” said Trailer Bridge Chief Executive Officer Chris J. Dombalis. “This contract solidifies our plans to move forward here in Jacksonville.”
   Trailer Bridge pioneered the use of 53-foot-long by 102-inch-wide containers that are similar in size to domestic trailers. Its competitor Sea Star is also embracing 53-foot equipment.
   Peter Keller, the president of Sea Star, says the company is building two new, self-propelled container ships for the Jacksonville-Puerto Rico trade. Those 3,100-TEU ships will also devote about half of their capacity to carrying 53-foot containers, include high-cube, 53-foot dual and multi-temperature refrigerated equipment.