Dating back to the 1500s, Jacksonville has played a strategic logistics role for the United States. As the westernmost city on the East Coast, Jacksonville offers a unique location, a rapidly growing economy and a well-developed, multimodal infrastructure that plays a vital role in the movement and distribution of goods worldwide.
To understand the region’s logistics power, it’s beneficial to break down each pillar of the industry: Air, Maritime/Port, Road, Shipping/Warehousing and Road. Each of these pillars has played a major role in Jacksonville becoming America’s Logistics Center. Let’s dive in:
Air:
Jacksonville International Airport (JAX) is one of four airports that serve the commercial, business and recreational needs of Northeast Florida and Southeast Georgia. Although JAX is primarily known for passenger traffic, it has become increasingly important in air cargo logistics, especially with the rise of next- and same-day delivery services like Amazon. Cecil Airport, another of the region’s major airports, is directly tied to an expansive interstate highway, three intercontinental rail arteries and one of the fastest growing deep-water ports in the Southeast.
With dedicated cargo facilities and proximity to major distribution centers like Walmart, Crowley and Wayfair, air freight in Northeast Florida is growing rapidly, especially in the healthcare, electronics and time-sensitive goods sectors.
Some popular job titles in Northeast Florida that fall under the airway pillar include Air Cargo Handler, Freight Coordinator, Aircraft Loadmaster, Aviation Operations Specialist, Logistics Analyst (Air Freight), Customs Clearance Agent and Ramp Agent.
Maritime/Port:
Jacksonville Port Authority ( ) continues to stand as one of the most influential players in Northeast Florida’s transportation and logistics industry. As Florida’s largest container port by volume and one of the top vehicle-handling ports in the United States, JAXPORT supports global trade in everything from cars to containers by holding strong relationships with companies like Crowley, Southeast Toyota Distributors, Trailor Bridge and more.
In recent years, JAXPORT has invested more than $500 million in infrastructure enhancements, which now allows larger ships to deliver cargo – these investments have created an even greater competitive advantage for Jacksonville in the global trade space.
Some popular job titles in Northeast Florida that fall under the maritime pillar include Port Crane Operator, Longshoreman/Dockworker, Vessel Agent, Marine Terminal Supervisor, Import/Export Coordinator, Maritime Logistics Manager and Customs Compliance Specialist.
Road:
Jacksonville’s strategic location allows companies to reach more than 98 million consumers within a day’s drive, making trucking and road freight essential for distribution. Sitting at the intersection of Interstates I-10, I-95 and I-295, the region is strategically positioned within a strong roadway network that enables the movement of goods in all directions.
Another thing to note is the impact that e-commerce fulfillment centers such as Walmart, Amazon and Wayfair have had on truck traffic and demand for short-haul logistics providers – this addition to roadway logistics has made Northeast Florida a strategic choice for e-commerce companies of all stages and sizes.
Some popular job titles in Northeast Florida that fall under the roadway pillar include CDL Truck Driver (Class A & B), Last-Mile Delivery Driver, Route Planner/Dispatcher, Fleet Manager, Freight Broker, Transportation Safety Specialist and Delivery Operations Supervisor.
Shipping/Warehouse:
Jacksonville’s abundance of land, friendly business climate and skilled talent pipeline have all facilitated the region’s boom in logistics real estate development. Millions of square feet in new warehouse space have been produced in recent years, becoming an essential part in supporting the other pillars of logistical transports, including those at Imeson Park South and Florida Gateway Logistics Park.
Some popular job titles in Northeast Florida that fall under the warehousing/distribution pillar include Warehouse Associate, Inventory Control Specialist, Forklift Operator, Distribution Center Manager, Logistics Coordinator, Supply Chain Analyst and E-Commerce Fulfillment Associate.
Rail:
Rail transportation has been a core strength of the Jacksonville region since the 19th century, where it facilitated tourism, trade and industrial growth to the rest of the nation. The region is a major railway hub, with CSX Corporation headquartered in downtown Jacksonville alongside Norfolk Southern and Florida East Coast Railway maintaining strong regional operations.
Jacksonville benefits from multiple intermodal terminals, allowing a seamless transfer of containers between ship, truck and train. These connections are vital for moving bulk goods–automobiles, agricultural equipment and lumber–in and out of the region efficiently.
Some popular job titles in Northeast Florida that fall under the railway pillar include Train Conductor, Locomotive Engineer, Rail Yard Operator, Track Maintenance Technician, Intermodal Dispatcher, Transportation Planner and Signal Maintainer.
Transportation & Logistics in Jacksonville
These five transportation and logistics pillars don’t just operate independently– they are weaved together in an integrated system that keeps the Jacksonville region and the U.S. economy moving. From bustling port and rail yards to a growing air cargo presence and thriving warehouse system, it’s easy to see why Jacksonville is known as America’s Logistics Center.
Whether you’re deciding on a career path, starting a career, hiring talent or exploring the different industries that Northeast Florida has to offer, understanding the roles that the Transportation & Logistics Industry plays in the movement of goods is key.
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