Jaxport Sets Lofty Goal.(Jaxport Propeller Club plans expansion of container ports, Port of Jacksonville)

BYLINE: Rick Eyerdam

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- The Port of Jacksonville expects to become the third-largest East Coast container port within 10 years and has the money and tenants already in place to surpass all but New York-New Jersey and Hampton Roads, port executives told the Jaxport Propeller Club at the annual state of the port on Thursday

Rick Ferrin, the port's executive director, told the luncheon crowd that letters of intent have been signed for two additional terminals. He said two European and one Asian carrier have agreed to call the port in the foreseeable future.

Ferrin offered no specifics on the new business to the club but he said in a …