Trailer Bridge, Ports America Sign 10-Year Jones Act
Carrier Trailer Bridge and terminal operator Ports America have entered a 10-year agreement for stevedoring and terminal technology on the Jacksonville to
Jacksonville-based carrier Trailer Bridge and terminal operator Ports America have signed a 10-year agreement covering stevedoring and terminal operations for Trailer Bridge's Jones Act barge service between Jacksonville, Florida, and San Juan, Puerto Rico. The deal includes two optional five-year extensions, creating a potential 20-year partnership.
Under the contract, Ports America will provide stevedoring labor and terminal expertise at Trailer Bridge's Blount Island terminal within the Jacksonville Port Authority (Jaxport). The partnership consolidates cargo-handling functions under a single North American terminal operator with specific experience in roll-on/roll-off (ro-ro), breakbulk, and Jones Act trades.
Technology Implementation and Goals
A core component of the agreement is the implementation of Ports America's Dockworks terminal operating system (TOS) at the Jacksonville facility. Customer-facing visibility tools from this system are expected to go live in 2027. The technology investment aims to provide shippers with better real-time tracking information for trailers and containers moving on the Jacksonville-San Juan lane.
The partners stated that a shared terminal platform should reduce operational handoffs, improve equipment utilization, and create a more predictable service profile for shippers reliant on this corridor. Ports America said the partnership supports its efforts to improve reliability and transparency on the Puerto Rico trade.
Strategic Impact on the Trade Lane
The long-term agreement is designed to stabilize operations on one of the most active U.S. Domestic shipping routes governed by the Jones Act, which reserves coastwise trade for U.S.-built, -owned, and -crewed vessels. The arrangement ties physical terminal handling to a modern software system.
This deal reinforces Jacksonville's role as a primary mainland gateway for freight bound for Puerto Rico. It provides the port with a long-term, technology-enabled operating framework for a major Jones Act customer. Trailer Bridge operates an asset-light transportation model focused on domestic ocean service to Puerto Rico, alongside international freight forwarding and U.S. Government logistics.
Ports America runs container, ro-ro, vehicle, military, and cruise terminals across North America. The company said this partnership extends its footprint in handling Jones Act cargo. The report, from FreightWaves, also noted that in July, carriers Zim and Mediterranean Shipping Co. Made their first call at Jacksonville as part of a new container service linking Asia with Latin America, the Caribbean, and the Mediterranean.
