Trailer Bridge and JAXPORT: Driving Efficiency and Growth in Jacksonville

At Trailer Bridge, we understand the complexities of today’s supply chain landscape and use our in-house expertise to help customers navigate it effectively. As a company headquartered in Jacksonville, Florida, we are deeply invested in the continued growth of the region’s transportation and logistics industry.

Recently, our CEO, Mitch Luciano, joined other industry leaders for a roundtable discussion hosted by the Jacksonville Business Journal. The conversation focused on the vital role the Jacksonville Port Authority (JAXPORT) plays in strengthening supply chains, supporting import/export activity, and driving economic development across the region.

During the roundtable, Mitch Luciano shared how JAXPORT has influenced Trailer Bridge’s growth, how the company collaborates with the port and its partners, and his thoughts on future investments to support continued expansion.

Here’s an excerpt from the interview:

How has JAXPORT’s presence and operations directly impacted your company’s growth and success within the Jacksonville region?

“We started out in the 90s, servicing Puerto Rico. With JAXPORT, expanding our business has been easy. It takes drivers 30 minutes to get in and out of ports and that’s just not the case in other cities. Keeping drivers happy and turning equipment faster makes everyone more money, helps sell our service, and improves quality of life across the board. That’s one of the things we’ve always appreciated about JAXPORT. We have a great relationship, and if we ask for something, JAXPORT’s response is very quick. That rapport really helps us develop our business and grow to service other markets.”

How are you collaborating with JAXPORT and other partners to streamline supply chain operations and improve efficiency?

“JAXPORT continues to make it easier for drivers, which is key because consumers want their product yesterday. We must keep making it easy to move goods in and out efficiently and with low emissions. We find ways to pull it off when we collaborate. If I ever need a conversation with JAXPORT, it happens fast. If I need to move customers and cargo around, JAXPORT always helps. Customers are always impressed with JAXPORT. As shippers and suppliers, we find ways to improve efficiency, time frames, and cost effectiveness through collaboration and communication. Working together has made it much easier. Hearing how JAXPORT helps others, and they return that help, reminds me we’re doing this together and makes me excited for what can happen down the road.”

What are your expectations regarding future investments and initiatives by the port and community to foster growth?

“It can cost at least $50M to make a pier workable if a vessel wanted to call. That’s a major investment, and just one of many JAXPORT, the state, and the city are making. It’s amazing.”

Understanding that we are one shipping community with a shared goal fosters collaboration, drives innovation, and strengthens the entire supply chain ecosystem. By working together, across ports, carriers, shippers, and suppliers, we can create efficiencies that benefit not only our customers but also support sustainable growth for everyone involved.

Read the Jacksonville Business Journal’s full article here.

Image courtesy of Jacksonville Business Journal