News Summary
JaxPort has appointed Juan Pablo Acosta Magaña as the new Director of Cargo Sales for Latin America, aiming to strengthen shipping ties in the region. With over 20 years of experience in international trade and logistics, he will focus on enhancing relationships with key decision-makers across Latin America. This appointment coincides with JaxPort’s ongoing expansion project to increase vehicle shipment capacity, underscoring its strategic growth efforts and commitment to the market.
Jacksonville, FL – On September 2, JaxPort announced the appointment of Juan Pablo Acosta Magaña as the new Director of Cargo Sales for Latin America. This role is intended to enhance regional shipping ties by focusing on commercial relationships with containerized cargo customers across South America, Central America, Mexico, and the Caribbean.
Acosta Magaña will be responsible for cultivating relationships and providing high-level service to decision-makers in the Latin American region, aiming to bolster JaxPort’s presence in this critical area. He brings over 20 years of experience in international trade and logistics, having previously held sales and customer service roles at major ocean carriers like Maersk Line, Hamburg Süd, and Hapag-Lloyd.
In his previous positions, Acosta Magaña has worked closely with shippers in Latin America to connect them to global markets. He holds a master’s degree in logistics and supply chain management from Florida International University, as well as a Bachelor of Science in international commerce from Universidad Alejandro de Humboldt in Caracas, Venezuela.
The appointment comes as JaxPort is progressing on a significant expansion project costing $60 million, aimed at increasing vehicle shipment capacity. A new facility, Berth 22, has recently been constructed at the Blount Island Marine Terminal. This addition will provide a second dedicated roll-on/roll-off cargo berth to accommodate larger vessels and enhance efficiency for auto customers.
In the preceding year, JaxPort processed over 509,000 vehicles, maintaining its status as a leading port for vehicle cargo in the United States. The project’s final phase involves the construction of another vehicle berth, Berth 21, which is projected to be completed by early 2027. The funding for this project includes contributions from both the Florida Department of Transportation and JaxPort itself.
Cargo operations at JaxPort contribute to 228,000 jobs in Florida and create an annual economic impact of approximately $44 billion. This is further enhanced by the recent inauguration of a 416,000-square-foot parts distribution center by Southeast Toyota Distributors in Jacksonville, which aims to improve operational efficiency for Toyota dealers in the region.
Additional measures to streamline operations are underway; a new agreement approved by the JaxPort board involves raising power lines to accommodate larger cargo ships near the Blount Island Terminal, with a total estimated project cost of $117 million. Funding for this endeavor will also derive from JaxPort, the Florida Department of Transportation, and the city of Jacksonville.
Looking ahead, JaxPort has reported a 16% year-over-year increase in cargo volume growth in September, driven by the introduction of new services and enhancements in vessel capacity. The strategic appointment of Juan Pablo Acosta Magaña signals JaxPort’s commitment to strengthening its operational capabilities in the Latin American market, reflecting the port’s efforts to continue expanding its influence and services in regional and global trade.
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- Jax Daily Record: Juan Pablo Acosta Magaña Joins JaxPort
- Supply Chain Dive: Jacksonville Port Authority Cargo Volumes Rise
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- Encyclopedia Britannica: Jacksonville Port
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- Google Search: JaxPort
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