JAXPORT’s new $30 million Intermodal Container Transfer Facility is now officially open for business.

The ICTF provides on-dock rail service to JAXPORT’s North Jacksonville seaport terminals—the Blount Island Marine Terminal and the TraPac Container Terminal at Dames Point. The direct transfer of containers between vessels and trains speeds up the shipment process, offering shippers greater options and efficiencies.

The facility was constructed with $20 million in funding from the state of Florida and $10 million in federal TIGER-grant funds.

Rail that connects to CSX Transportation’s main line allows for two unit trains each day. Ceres Rail Services is responsible for managing the day-to-day operations.

Along with the deepening of Jacksonville’s harbor to 47 feet, the ICTF is one of several major capital projects at JAXPORT aimed at serving global cargo customers, increasing efficiency and contributing to the economic vitality of Northeast Florida.

Before its official opening for commercial cargo, ICTF was used earlier this year in support of a high-level military training exercise. JAXPORT partnered with several U.S. Army units, including the JAXPORT-based 832nd Transportation Battalion, for exercises aimed at expediting the movement of ocean-going military cargo, rehearsing the capabilities of personnel as well as the new terminal.

During the exercise, uniformed Army personnel moved nearly 800 pieces of cargo—including vehicles, containers and equipment from the facility onto a nearby military ship.

JAXPORT is one of 17 U.S. Strategic Seaports on-call to move military cargo for national defense, foreign humanitarian assistance and disaster relief.